by COB

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by COB" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a business context to indicate that something should be completed by the close of business on a given day. Example: "Please submit your reports by COB tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Please unplug all unauthorized USB Conch devices by COB today.

TechCrunch

At the end of April 2002, despite mounting protests from Soufan, CIA headquarters introduced the most coercive of new interrogation strategies that had the full backing of Jose Rodriguez and were supervised on the ground by COB Haspel and a senior CTC official.

Vice

Directed by Kristin Canty; director of photography, Benjamin Eckstein; edited by Cob Carlson; music by Tom Phillips and Tom Martin; produced by Ms. Canty and Paul Dewey.

The New York Times

Then a technical analysis was commissioned by COB to evaluate the conditions of the city, unveiled on August 25, 2006.

Wikipedia

Because however many KPIs you've got to action by COB, trust me when I tell you that being a shot girl is endlessly more soul-destroying, and doesn't come with any of the perks you enjoy like four-figure bonuses, interacting with mostly non-drunk people, and being able to wear pants to work.

Vice

They requested that we provide feedback on national security concerns and/or requests for redactions by COB tomorrow, Wednesday as they plan to both publish their first story and post these cables on their website — not clear whether all or some — at 10pm this Thursday.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Produced by Denise Cramsey Productions and Horizon Alternative Television.

The New York Times - Arts

PHOTOS: Concerts by The Times Samueli Theate, Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Los Angeles Times

Susanne Bier ("Brothers") directed.

The New York Times

MYSTIC Mystic Seaport Maritime Miniaturess by Maritime Masters".

The New York Times

PEEKSKILL Flat Iron Gallery Celebrating Lifee!" Works by Mireille Duchesne.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by COB" in professional communications to set clear expectations for task completion within the same business day. Ensure that all parties understand that this refers to the end of the standard workday in your specific time zone or company culture.

Common error

Avoid using "by COB" with individuals unfamiliar with business jargon or in contexts where the workday's end is ambiguous. Instead, specify a precise time (e.g., "by 5 PM") to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by COB" functions as a prepositional phrase specifying a deadline. It modifies a verb, indicating when an action must be completed. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase is frequently used in business settings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Tech

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by COB" is a shorthand way of saying "by close of business", used to indicate a deadline at the end of the current working day. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used in business and professional settings. While efficient, it's essential to ensure that everyone understands its meaning to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "by the end of the day" or specifying a precise time (e.g., "by 5 PM") can provide more clarity when communicating with diverse audiences. Though the frequency is classified as uncommon, "by COB" remains a useful phrase in many professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by close of business

Replaces the acronym "COB" with its full form, maintaining the same meaning.

by the end of the day

Offers a more general timeframe while still implying the workday's conclusion.

before the day is out

Emphasizes the urgency of completing the task within the current day.

by 5 p.m.

Specifies a precise time deadline, offering more clarity than "by COB".

by quitting time

Uses a more colloquial term for the end of the workday.

before day's end

A more formal and slightly archaic way of saying "by the end of the day".

by the close of play

A British English equivalent of "by close of business".

no later than

Highlights the deadline aspect without specifying the end of the workday.

by the deadline

Focuses solely on the deadline, which may or may not be the end of the workday.

before knocking off time

Another colloquial way of referring to end of the day, this one from British English.

FAQs

What does "by COB" mean?

"By COB" is an acronym that stands for "by close of business". It means something needs to be completed before the end of the current working day.

When is it appropriate to use "by COB"?

It's appropriate to use "by COB" in professional settings when communicating deadlines to colleagues or clients who understand the business jargon. It's less suitable for external communications with the public or in informal settings.

What can I say instead of "by COB"?

You can use alternatives like "by the end of the day", "by close of business", or specify a time such as "by 5 PM".

Is "by EOD" the same as "by COB"?

Yes, "by EOD" (end of day) and "by COB" (close of business) are generally interchangeable and mean the same thing: before the end of the working day.