late entrance
Coming in behind
A late entrance is arriving after the expected or scheduled time—showing up to a theater after the curtain rises, joining a meeting already in progress, or entering a competition after it has begun.
The phrase often carries implications of disruption or disadvantage: Her late entrance meant she missed the opening remarks.
In performance contexts, a late entrance may be deliberate for dramatic effect.
- tardyArriving past due
- arrivalAct of reaching destination
- delayedMade to wait longer
- fashionablyIn stylish manner
- doorwayPassage into a room
side door · interruption · dramatic · making a scene · belated · overdue · slipping · sneaking · apologetic · disruptive · backstage · curtain · threshold · sliding in · missed · unpunctual · straggler · behind