late for lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "late for lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is not on time for a scheduled lunch. Example: "I apologize for being late for lunch; traffic was worse than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

As expected, we were late for lunch.

The New Yorker

We were going to be late for lunch.

The New Yorker

We better get back, we'll be late for lunch.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'm late for lunch with Professor Brian Cox OBE.

The Guardian

"If you don't get on with it, you'll be late for lunch," Prince reminds her cast from the director's table.

Independent

So, running late for lunch with a friend, I find myself powering along to get there in time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Victoria Derbyshire (5 Live) | iPlayer State of Grace (Radio 4) | iPlayer Back in February 2011, on the generally likable if unaccountably vilified – but she is, after all, a woman – Victoria Derbyshire morning show, listeners around the country slowed their cars, paused mid-potter, turned up a bit late for lunches.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Seven- to nine-year-olds may only want to ski for two or three hours a day, but if you start a little late, break for lunch, and build in a lot of judicious hot chocolate treats, you can have a day lasting from 11-4.

The Guardian - Travel

I have had a lot of gifts in this business, but one of the biggest ones was bringing Jay together with the late Bobby Murcer for lunch two springs ago.

Huffington Post

There's a Show About Building IKEA Fridayure on Drugs.

Vice

And a guest turning up two hours late for a lunch will be directed to the nearest takeaway outlet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context. "Late for lunch" is suitable for informal and neutral situations. For more formal scenarios, use alternatives like "delayed for lunch".

Common error

Avoid using "late for lunch" in highly formal or professional communications. It can sound too casual. Instead, opt for phrases like "delayed due to unforeseen circumstances" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "late for lunch" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject (often implied) indicating a state of being delayed or behind schedule concerning a midday meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "late for lunch" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate tardiness for a midday meal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and usable phrase in English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to explain delays or convey apologies. While generally neutral, consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Common synonyms include "behind schedule for lunch" and "delayed for lunch". The phrase’s wide usage and straightforward meaning make it a reliable choice for expressing this specific type of tardiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running late for lunch

Highlights the action of being in the process of becoming late.

behind schedule for lunch

Emphasizes being delayed and not on time for lunch.

delayed for lunch

Focuses on the cause of the lateness, implying an external factor.

held up for lunch

Implies that something or someone caused the delay.

not on time for lunch

States the lateness in a more direct and simple manner.

tardy for lunch

Uses a more formal word for being late.

missed the lunch appointment

Focuses on the consequence of being late, missing the planned meeting.

past lunchtime

Indicates that the usual time for lunch has already passed.

after the lunch hour

Similar to "past lunchtime", specifying a time period.

too late to have lunch

Suggests that it is so late that having lunch is no longer feasible.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "late for lunch"?

Being "late for lunch" means arriving after the scheduled or expected time for a midday meal. It indicates a delay that causes someone to miss the beginning of, or a portion of, their lunch.

What can I say instead of "late for lunch"?

You can use alternatives like "behind schedule for lunch", "delayed for lunch", or "running late for lunch" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "late for lunch"?

Yes, "late for lunch" is grammatically correct. It's a common prepositional phrase used to describe someone's tardiness for a midday meal.

How to use "late for lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "late for lunch" in a sentence like: "I apologize for being "late for lunch", the meeting ran over time" or "If you don't hurry, we'll be "late for lunch"".