barely in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely in time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone arrives or completes something just before a deadline or at the last possible moment. Example: "I arrived at the station barely in time to catch my train."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It was raw energy unleashed, just barely in time, and simply magnificent to watch.

The New York Times

Barely in time with each other, they're frequently drowned out by grinding noise.

The Guardian - Music

Lenin returned to Russia from exile in Switzerland barely in time to lead the Bolsheviks in seizing state power in October (November, New Style) 1917.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sometimes studios can't test a movie simply because it is finished barely in time to roll it out to the theaters.

The New York Times

Although Mr. Bolten manages to arrive at an early-bird White House barely in time for the 7 30 a.m. senior staff meeting, he often stays until midnight.

The New York Times

Mr. Levine's latest series of cancellations began shortly before the subscription performances of the Mahler Ninth in Boston last month, barely in time for the orchestra to install an assistant conductor, Sean Newhouse, on the podium.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The country's best doctors tinkered with "salvage" regimens specifically for him, accomplishing numerous barely-in-time rescues.

The Guardian

She escapes and returns home, dirty and barely sane, just in time to die giving birth to something both Unspeakable and Ambiguous (perhaps a snake, perhaps an infant with its innards on the outards).

The New York Times - Books

"Need I say more?" he cackles, barely braking in time for a stop sign.

The New York Times

With another, she let fly a profanity that ABC barely bleeped in time.

The New York Times

There were families who were so paralyzed by grief that they barely applied in time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely in time" when you want to emphasize that something was achieved or completed with very little margin, highlighting the narrow escape from a negative outcome. For instance, "We finished the project barely in time to meet the deadline".

Common error

Avoid using "barely in time" when the situation allows for more than just a minimal margin. Using it when there was actually ample time diminishes the impact of the phrase and could confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely in time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action. It specifies that the action occurred very close to a deadline or critical moment. Ludwig shows various examples of its use in describing events narrowly averted or deadlines barely met.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverbial phrase "barely in time" effectively conveys a sense of urgency and narrow escape, signifying that something was accomplished just before a deadline or critical moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "just in time" is a close synonym, "barely in time" emphasizes a more precarious margin. When writing, ensure that the context genuinely reflects a situation where success was achieved with minimal time to spare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just in the nick of time

Emphasizes the narrowness of the margin by using the idiom 'in the nick of time'.

at the eleventh hour

Uses the idiom 'eleventh hour' to highlight the lateness of the action.

with no time to spare

Focuses on the lack of remaining time or margin.

at the last minute

Indicates something done right before the deadline or cutoff.

with only seconds to spare

Highlights the very short amount of time left.

just under the wire

Uses the idiom 'under the wire' to describe narrowly succeeding.

almost too late

Highlights the near-failure of achieving something in time.

by a whisker

Emphasizes the very small margin of success.

scarcely on schedule

Highlights the difficulty in maintaining the schedule

touch and go

Uses the phrase 'touch and go' to emphasize the uncertainty and risk involved.

FAQs

How can I use "barely in time" in a sentence?

You can use "barely in time" to describe situations where something is achieved or someone arrives just before a deadline or important moment. For example, "I finished the report barely in time to submit it before the meeting".

What phrases are similar to "barely in time"?

Similar phrases include "just in time", "at the last minute", and "in the nick of time". These all indicate a narrow margin.

Is it correct to say "hardly in time" instead of "barely in time"?

While "hardly" and "barely" can sometimes be interchangeable, "barely in time" is the more common and idiomatic choice to express that something happened with very little time to spare. "Hardly in time" might be understood, but it's less conventional.

What's the difference between "barely in time" and "just in time"?

"Barely in time" emphasizes that the margin was extremely narrow, suggesting a close call. "Just in time" indicates that something happened at the last possible moment, but without necessarily implying the same level of urgency or near-failure.