behind the times
Not keeping up
Behind the times means out of date, not keeping up with current trends, technology, or ideas.
The phrase suggests someone or something has failed to evolve while the world moved forward: His views on marriage are behind the times.
It carries mild criticism—being behind the times isn't tragic, just unfashionable or inconvenient.
Old and outdated
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- defunctNo longer existing
- deprecatedFormally advised against using
discontinued · superseded · phased-out · legacy · outdated · disused · mothballed · extinct
Withstanding external forces
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- reactionaryAnti-progress political stance
- hideboundRigidly adhering to tradition
- inflexibleUnable to bend
rigid · conventional · orthodox · unprogressive · backward-looking · stubborn · unadaptable · close-minded
Drab and unstylish
- dowdyUnstylish in appearance
- unstylishLacking fashionable appeal
- unhipLacking current awareness
- uncoolLacking social appeal
square · old-hat · passé · dated · stodgy · fuddy-duddy · fogeyish · dorky
Comparable equivalent
- dial-upPhone-line internet connection
- flip-phoneHinged mobile device
- typewriterMechanical printing keyboard
- cassetteMagnetic audio cartridge
VHS · Luddite · technophobe · offline · disconnected · manual · non-digital · low-tech
antiquated
Old and outdated
deprecated · discontinued · superseded · phased-out · legacy · outdated · disused · mothballed · extinct · dinosaur
resistant
Withstanding external forces
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- reactionaryAnti-progress political stance
- hideboundRigidly adhering to tradition
inflexible · rigid · conventional · orthodox · unprogressive · backward-looking · stubborn · unadaptable · close-minded · provincial
frumpy
Drab and unstylish
uncool · square · old-hat · passé · dated · stodgy · fuddy-duddy · fogeyish · dorky · nerdy
analog
Comparable equivalent
- dial-upPhone-line internet connection
- flip-phoneHinged mobile device
- typewriterMechanical printing keyboard
cassette · VHS · Luddite · technophobe · offline · disconnected · manual · non-digital · low-tech · old-school
- outdatedobsolete, outdated, out of date, dated, outmoded
- out of touchdisconnected, oblivious, unaware, clueless, detached
- time sayingscarpe diem, seize the day, better late than never, tempus fugit, haste makes waste
- uncool traitsnerdiness, geekiness, awkwardness, lameness, dorkiness
behind the timescutting-edge
At innovation's forefront
ahead of the curve · up-to-date · avant-garde · modern · current
time, behind, times, timeless, timer, timely, timed, timing, timetable