late for everything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "late for everything" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who consistently arrives after the expected time for various events or commitments. Example: "I don't know how she manages it, but she's always late for everything, even our meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"It's too late for everything!

The New Yorker

I'm late for everything".

The New York Times

I'm late for everything in my life socially, but never late for my work, you know?

The New York Times

And of course I've always been late for everything, so I'd be late for class.

The New Yorker

I live in this permanent three-day time lapse, so I always feel like I'm late for everything.

The Guardian

As I settled down to sleep in that new bed in the dark city, I saw that it was too late now, too late for everything.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In a post clarifying his remarks to the Information, Graham wrote, "In fact I err on the side of late binding for everything, including métiers.

The New Yorker

Let them know that always being late for nearly everything is annoying, by buying them a watch so next time they're late you can ask them whats wrong with the watch i got you?

WikiHow

She has suggested we meet outside WH Smith – something else I haven't heard since the early 1980s – and she hurries up a little late, already apologising for everything, severe-fringed as ever, but now silver-haired, suggesting we walk over to the park in the local square to sit on a bench and talk.

The Guardian - Music

The latest offers -- for everything from Chevrolet Cavaliers to Cadillac Escalades and Ford Focuses to Jaguar S-Types -- include zero percent loans, with no money down and no monthly payments until 2003, or else thousands of dollars in cash rebates.

The New York Times

He blew the saxophone on late-night television, told viewers about the sort of underwear he preferred and was late for just about everything.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character, use "late for everything" to quickly establish a sense of their personality or lifestyle. For example, "Despite her intelligence, she was always late for everything, a quirk that often frustrated her colleagues."

Common error

Avoid overusing "late for everything" as a blanket excuse. While it can be used to describe a general tendency, providing specific reasons or examples adds depth and avoids making the character or situation seem one-dimensional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late for everything" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to characterize someone's consistent inability to be on time. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It provides a quick assessment of a person's punctuality habits.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "late for everything" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone who is consistently tardy. According to Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, with a primary presence in News & Media. The phrase serves to quickly characterize an individual or situation, often conveying a sense of frustration or resignation. While useful for establishing character or setting a scene, it should be used judiciously to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "always running behind" or "never on time" can provide slightly different shades of meaning. Considering the frequency and the explanations, mastering this phrase is very useful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Never on time

Directly states the inability to be punctual.

Habitually late

Highlights the habitual nature of being late.

Always running behind

Focuses on the continuous action of being delayed rather than the result.

Constantly behind schedule

Emphasizes the discrepancy between the planned time and actual arrival.

Consistently unpunctual

Highlights the consistent lack of punctuality.

Perpetually tardy

Uses a more formal adjective to describe the constant state of lateness.

Chronically unpunctual

Uses "chronically" to emphasize the long-term nature of not being on time.

Invariably delayed

A more formal way to express the consistent occurrence of delays.

Aways lagging behind

Focuses on the aspect of being behind others in terms of timing.

Always missing deadlines

Specifically points out the failure to meet required timeframes.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who is "late for everything" in a single word?

You could describe someone who is "late for everything" as chronically tardy, habitually unpunctual, or perpetually behind schedule. Each of these single words captures the essence of consistent lateness.

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of "late for everything"?

You can use alternatives like "always running behind", "never on time", or "constantly behind schedule" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say someone is "late for everything"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say someone is "late for everything". It's a common and accepted way to describe someone who frequently arrives after the scheduled time for various events.

What's the difference between saying "late for everything" and "always late"?

While both phrases convey a sense of habitual tardiness, "late for everything" emphasizes that this lateness affects multiple aspects of their life, whereas "always late" is a more general statement about their punctuality.