late

Better late than never.

something that you say which means it is better for someone or something to be late than never to arrive or to happen. 'Karen's card arrived 2 weeks after my birthday.' 'Oh well, better late than never.'

See also: better, never

late in the day

too late to be useful. The new gun laws came a little late in the day for those whose friends or families were killed in the massacre. (often + for) It seems rather late in the day to announce that diet drinks might cause cancer. (often + to do something)

See also: day

too little, too late

if the help that is given to a person is described as too little, too late, there is not enough of it and it was given too late to be useful. The government have finally decided to put some money into research but it's too little, too late.

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better late than never

it is good this happened now although it should have happened sooner. I guess it's better late than never, but getting the award after he died strikes me as less than satisfactory.

See also: better, never

a day late and a dollar short

not enough to be useful. The government's attempts at reform were a day late and a dollar short.

See also: day, dollar, short

late in the day

delayed almost too long. Isn't it rather late in the day to say you're sorry?

See also: day

of late

recently. She hasn't been feeling well of late.

too little, too late

not enough and not given soon enough to be useful. Financial help for food pantries and soup kitchens may be too little, too late.