it gets late

USAGE SUMMARY

'it gets late' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the time of night, emphasizing that it is growing dark or the hour is getting late. For example: "We need to finish this task quickly – it gets late very early in winter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The ball floated down the left-field foul line, a reminder of Yogi Berra's observation that "it gets late early" around 4 p.m. at the old Stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

"It gets late early out here".

The Guardian - Sport

As Yogi Berra would say, this time of year, it gets late rather early.

The New York Times - Sports

He is always ready to fight, particularly when it gets late.

The New York Times - Sports

It gets late._John Kenney's novel "Truth in Advertisting" will be published in January.

The New Yorker

Prediction: It gets late early in Phoenix - fifth place, NL West.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Today it gets 3,000.

The Guardian

(From left to right) Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, and Greg Kinnear in As Good As It Gets (1997).

Britannica

It gets earlier and earlier in the morning, and soon he realizes he's not going to sleep at all.

The New Yorker

None of that is quite clear; we'll be watching as it gets later and later in Egypt.

The New Yorker

This made them rarities, because the Googleplex is teeming with applicants: The company says it gets 3,000 applications per day.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to add a specific tone, for example 'it gets late early' suggests a sense of urgency or the rapid passage of time.

Common error

Avoid using "it gets late" in contexts where a more literal description of time is needed. For example, instead of saying "it gets late" when referring to a specific clock time, use the actual time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it gets late" functions as a statement of time, indicating the progression towards evening or night. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound. The examples show its use in conveying the feeling of time passing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it gets late" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the progression of time towards evening or night. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. It often carries an implicit suggestion to hurry or acknowledge the lateness of the hour. While versatile, it should be used appropriately to avoid misinterpretations in contexts requiring literal time references. Related phrases such as "night falls" or "the hour grows late" can offer alternative ways to express the same concept with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's getting dark

More direct reference to the decrease in light.

the hour grows late

A more formal way of expressing the same idea.

night falls

Refers specifically to the coming of night.

the night draws in

Emphasizes the encroachment of night.

evening approaches

Highlights the arrival of evening.

day ends

Focuses on the conclusion of the daytime period.

dusk settles

Emphasizes the settling of dusk.

twilight descends

Focuses on the onset of twilight.

time passes

Indicates the general progression of time, less specific than the original phrase.

the sun sets

Highlights the specific moment of sunset.

FAQs

What does "it gets late" mean?

The phrase "it gets late" means that the day is progressing towards evening or night. It implies the passage of time and often suggests a need to hurry or conclude activities.

Is there a more formal way to say "it gets late"?

A more formal way to express that /s/"it gets late" might be "the hour grows late". This alternative is suitable for more sophisticated or literary contexts.

What can I say instead of "it gets late" in a casual conversation?

In casual conversation, you can say "it's getting dark" or "night falls" to convey the same idea.

How is "it gets late" different from "it is late"?

"It gets late" describes the process of time moving towards evening, while "it is late" indicates that a significant amount of time has already passed.