it went late

USAGE SUMMARY

"it went late" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing an event or situation that lasted longer than expected or planned. It can also convey a sense of surprise or frustration. Example: The party was supposed to end at 10 PM, but it went late and we ended up staying until midnight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It went late".

The New York Times

"I had a meeting that evening, and it went late.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So it goes late into the night and early into the morning throughout southeast Asia, where local sports content is trumped by distant content and where logos from the Premiership and La Liga are nearly as ubiquitous in major cities as signs for pho, Vietnam's rice-noodle staple.

The New York Times - Sports

What we do know about the party for sure, without anyone violating anything, is that it was loud and went late and ticked off at least one neighbor: the same guy Justin allegedly spat on a while back.

Los Angeles Times

Then I started to get ready, but, you know, was it worth it to go late and maybe only get to sing one song?

Huffington Post

"It's late in the season already, but it can go late.

The New York Times

The board had deliberated for four hours, the second time in a week it had gone late into the night pondering a controversy that has consumed the university's attention for months.

The New York Times

I always went because, again, CPS will get involved if you don't go to the doctor's, so you still have to go, but you know, you didn't you just have to stretch it out or go late or delay it or whatever.

Health & Justice

It went that late twice, both times because of unusual circumstances.

The New York Times - Sports

The timing was awful: it went out late on a Sunday night, in a slot formerly filled by a religious programme.

Independent

Like most parties at Camp Neidich, it went on late into the starry night, with guests dancing under a disco ball, a big bonfire and a swim in the ocean for those who stayed until daylight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it went late" to describe events, meetings, or projects that extended beyond their planned or expected duration. It implies a deviation from the initial schedule.

Common error

Avoid using "it went late" when you simply mean "it was late". The former describes an extension of time, while the latter refers to a point in time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it went late" functions as a statement indicating that an event, meeting, or activity extended beyond its scheduled or expected duration. This phrase often implies a deviation from the initial plan.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it went late" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe events that lasted longer than expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English and is used across a variety of contexts, including News & Media, Academia and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure that you are accurately describing an extension of time rather than simply indicating a late hour. Alternatives such as "it ran long" or "it lasted longer than expected" can provide subtle variations in meaning. By using "it went late" appropriately, you can effectively communicate that an event exceeded its planned duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it ran long

Focuses on the duration of the event.

it lasted longer than expected

Explicitly states that the duration exceeded expectations.

it overran

A more concise and direct synonym.

it continued past the deadline

Emphasizes the surpassing of a specific endpoint.

it stretched into the night

Highlights the late hour to which the event prolonged.

it was prolonged

Passive voice emphasizing the extended duration.

it extended beyond its scheduled time

Formal and precise restatement of the meaning.

it dragged on

Conveys a negative sentiment about the extended duration.

it kept going

Simple and informal way to express continuation.

it exceeded the allotted timeframe

More formal and technical way to describe the event's duration.

FAQs

What does "it went late" mean?

The phrase "it went late" means that something, such as a meeting, party, or event, continued longer than originally planned or expected.

How can I use "it went late" in a sentence?

You might say, "The meeting was scheduled to end at 5 PM, but "it went late" and we didn't finish until 7 PM."

What are some alternatives to "it went late"?

You can use alternatives such as "it ran long", "it lasted longer than expected", or "it overran" depending on the context.

Is "it went late" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it went late" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe an event or activity that continued beyond its scheduled time.