late to the game
Missed the start
Late to the game describes arriving after others have already started—joining a trend, adopting a technology, or entering a field when established players have the advantage.
The phrase carries mild self-deprecation or criticism: I know I'm late to the game, but I just started watching that show everyone talked about five years ago.
From sports, where arriving late means missing crucial early play.
- tardyArriving past due
- belatedArriving after expected
- bandwagoningAdopting popular positions opportunistically
- rushQuick sudden movement
- jumping on the bandwagonAdopting something because others have
delay · latecomer · adjustment · learning curve · outsider · behind the curve · recovery · catching up · overdue · diminishing returns · hurry · regret · FOMO · sunk cost · peer pressure · lagging · slow on the uptake · door
late to the gameearly adopter
First purchaser of innovations
ahead of the curve · first mover · pioneer · trailblazer · early bird
late to the gametrailblazer
First to forge ahead
pioneer · trendsetter · cutting-edge · avant-garde · visionary
late to the gameahead of the curve
Anticipating future developments
prescient · forward-thinking · visionary · trendsetter · finger on the pulse
late, lately, later, latest, lateness, latish, game, games, gamer