a day late and a dollar short
Missed the mark
A day late and a dollar short describes arriving too late or with too few resources to be useful—failing on two counts at once.
The phrase emphasizes inadequacy through doubling: not just tardy but also underprepared.
By the time management responded to employee concerns, it was a day late and a dollar short.
Arriving after expected
behind · too late · lagging · last-minute · eleventh-hour · postponed · procrastination · latecomer
Failure to reach quota
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- lackingBeing without something
- underfundedInsufficiently financially supported
- unpreparedLacking readiness beforehand
deficient · wanting · understaffed · meager · scarce · paltry · limited · skimpy
belated
Arriving after expected
delayed · behind · too late · lagging · last-minute · eleventh-hour · postponed · procrastination · latecomer · unpunctual
shortfall
Failure to reach quota
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- lackingBeing without something
- underfundedInsufficiently financially supported
unprepared · deficient · wanting · understaffed · meager · scarce · paltry · limited · skimpy · incomplete
a day late and a dollar shortahead of the game
Having an early advantage
on the ball · ahead of schedule · right on time · early bird · in the nick of time
a day late and a dollar shortfiring on all cylinders
Performing optimally, completely engaged
hitting the mark · competent · capable · up to the task · efficient
a day late and a dollar shortflush
Same suit, five cards
well-heeled · loaded for bear · more than enough · overprepared · money to burn
dollar, dollars, lately, lateness, latest, shorts, shorten, shortened, shortness