get late

USAGE SUMMARY

'get late' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the passage of time, usually when referring to something which you expect to happen soon. For example: "I'd better hurry or I'm going to get late for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

We're very confident when we get late in a game".

The New York Times - Sports

You get late in the game, and guys start missing tackles because we're fresh".

The New York Times - Sports

As many as half the pregnant women in some neighborhoods get late prenatal care, or none.

The New York Times

"When you get late into a game, that's been our biggest plus," Dombrowski said.

The New York Times - Sports

"But, once you get late into the night — 2, 3, 4 A.M. — the whole atmosphere's pretty profound".

The New Yorker

If we're to get late night right, then, we need to be taking risks and aiming for online.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Doctors may not be thinking adults can get late-onset type-1," he said.

Stanford University

"You have to wait to get into a club, and then you have to wait to get late-night food," she said.

The New York Times

After evenings of studying, the three would hop on Boston's trolley-and-subway system to get late-night meals of sandwiches, hot dogs, cheesecake and hot fudge sundaes at delis in Cambridge or Brookline.

The New York Times

Harley-Davidson has set up a nationwide network of company-approved rental outlets where renters can get late-model low-mileage Harleys and use of a helmet and rain suit and 24-hour roadside assistance.

The New York Times - Travel

And each delegate is being given a card that can be used at any of the more than 100 computer kiosks scattered at the convention and at Los Angeles hotels to get late-breaking information from party officials and to talk to other delegates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get late" to describe situations where the passage of time impacts an event or task, such as "We need to finish this project before it gets late."

Common error

While "get late" is understandable, it might sound awkward in very formal writing. Opt for phrases like "become delayed" or "time is running out" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get late" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the progression towards a later time. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It often sets the stage for subsequent actions or decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get late" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the progression of time and the increasing lateness of an hour. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While it appears across different contexts, it is most prevalent in news, media and sports. It's important to consider the context when using "get late", as more formal situations may warrant alternatives such as "become delayed" or "time is running out". Always aim to express your thoughts in the most precise and suitable manner for your target audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become delayed

Focuses on the act of being delayed rather than the time getting late.

run behind schedule

Implies a deviation from a planned timeline.

fall behind time

Emphasizes losing time relative to a set point.

be tardy

Indicates a state of being late, often for a specific event.

arrive late

Specifically relates to arriving at a destination after the expected time.

miss the deadline

Focuses on failing to meet a specified cutoff time.

belatedly

Expresses doing something after a delay.

get behind

Refers to falling behind on tasks or responsibilities.

time is running out

Highlights the scarcity of remaining time.

day is ending

Describes the end of the day.

FAQs

How can I use "get late" in a sentence?

You can use "get late" to indicate the passage of time and the lateness of an hour, for example: "It's starting to "get late", we should go home".

What can I say instead of "get late"?

You can use alternatives like "become delayed", "run behind schedule", or "time is running out" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "get late"?

It's appropriate to use "get late" in informal contexts when describing the progression of time and the lateness of a given moment. However, "become delayed" or "time is running out" are better choices for formal usage.

What is the difference between "get late" and "be late"?

"Get late" refers to the process of becoming late, while "be late" indicates the state of already being late. For instance, "I don't want to "get late" for the movie" versus "I'm going to be late if I don't leave now".