running behind
Not on time
Running behind means being late or delayed, falling short of a schedule or expected time.
Someone running behind arrives after they planned or struggles to keep up with a timeline: I'm running behind—start without me.
Projects, trains, and deadlines can all run behind.
The phrase implies motion toward a goal that isn't being reached fast enough.
Not on time
- tardyArriving past due
- overduePast expected arrival
- belatedArriving after expected
- delayedMade to wait longer
lagging · dawdling · straggling · detained · held up · time crunch · missed deadline · procrastination
Done too quickly
- rushedDone with excessive speed
- scrambleMix into disorder
- hasteExcessive quickness
- franticWildly anxious or desperate
dash · sprint · hustle · race · scurry · time pressure · last-minute · pressed for time
Closing a distance
- closing the gapReducing separation or difference
- gaining groundMaking steady headway
- acceleratingIncreasing in speed
- doubling downStrengthening a risky commitment
making progress · overtime · prioritizing · regrouping · rallying · compensating · shortcut · efficiency
late
Not on time
delayed · lagging · dawdling · straggling · detained · held up · time crunch · missed deadline · procrastination · poor timing
hurried
Done too quickly
frantic · dash · sprint · hustle · race · scurry · time pressure · last-minute · pressed for time · against the clock
catching up
Closing a distance
- closing the gapReducing separation or difference
- gaining groundMaking steady headway
- acceleratingIncreasing in speed
making progress · doubling down · overtime · prioritizing · regrouping · rallying · compensating · shortcut · efficiency
overwhelmed
Defeated by sheer volume
frazzled · flustered · worried · hectic · chaotic · pressure · strain · nervous · apologetic · embarrassed
- being lateoversleeping, traffic, delays, rushing, flat tire
- Goodbye excusesgotta go, gotta run, catch you later, see you later, heading out
- late excusesstuck in traffic, lost track of time, delayed, overslept, traffic jam
running behindahead of schedule
Before the planned time
running ahead · early · ahead of time · on time · punctual
running behindrunning ahead
Moving in front
in the lead · leading · out in front · pulling ahead · out front
running, behind, runner, runners, runny, overrun, reruns, behindhand