short notice
Little advance time
Short notice is a brief interval between when something is announced and when it happens.
To do something on short notice or at short notice is to arrange it quickly, with little time to prepare: Sorry to ask on such short notice, but can you cover my shift tomorrow?
The phrase implies inconvenience or urgency—adequate warning would have been preferable.
Sharp and unexpected
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
surprise · unannounced · impromptu · spontaneous · snap · unlooked-for · startling · blindsided
Just before deadline
- eleventh-hourAt the latest possible moment
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- crunchCrushing, grinding noise
rush · pressing · immediate · expedited · critical · emergency · priority · fast-track
Done with excessive speed
- hurriedDone too quickly
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- harriedPersistently tormented or pressured
- spur-of-the-momentDone without advance planning
headlong · precipitate · snap-decision · whirlwind · breakneck · frantic · hectic · pressured
Surprised without warning
- scrambleMix into disorder
- ill-preparedInsufficiently equipped beforehand
- unreadyNot yet prepared
- flusteredNervously upset and confused
disorganized · improvised · unrehearsed · extemporaneous · unpracticed · winging-it · thrown-together · makeshift
abrupt
Sharp and unexpected
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
unanticipated · surprise · unannounced · impromptu · spontaneous · snap · unlooked-for · startling · blindsided · sprung
last-minute
Just before deadline
- eleventh-hourAt the latest possible moment
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
- deadlineTime limit for completion
crunch · rush · pressing · immediate · expedited · critical · emergency · priority · fast-track · countdown
rushed
Done with excessive speed
- hurriedDone too quickly
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- harriedPersistently tormented or pressured
spur-of-the-moment · headlong · precipitate · snap-decision · whirlwind · breakneck · frantic · hectic · pressured
caught-off-guard
Surprised without warning
- scrambleMix into disorder
- ill-preparedInsufficiently equipped beforehand
- unreadyNot yet prepared
flustered · disorganized · improvised · unrehearsed · extemporaneous · unpracticed · winging-it · thrown-together · makeshift · ad-hoc
- excusesexcuse, not my fault, overslept, alibi, excuses
- schedule changescancellation, postponement, delay, reschedule, date change
short noticeadvance notice
Prior notification of events
fair warning · prior notice · prearranged · early warning · forewarning
short, notice, shorter, shortest, shorten, shortened, shortening, shortly, shortness