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Business English vocabulary · Deadlines and Scheduling

Running late

Meaning in business english, with examples

phraseCore term

In business english, running late means: Behind the planned time, so you will arrive or finish later than expected; used about people, meetings and schedules.

In Turkish: gecikmek, geç kalmak, programın gerisinde kalmak

How it is used

A polite, everyday way to warn people: 'Sorry, I'm running about ten minutes late', 'The previous meeting is running late'. It sounds softer than 'I'm late' because the delay is still going on and you are warning people in advance.

Example sentences

  1. Hi all, I'm running a few minutes late. Please start without me.

  2. The CEO's interview is running late, so your slot has moved to 3:30.

Common collocations

  • running a bit late
  • running ten minutes late
  • the meeting is running late
  • running behind
  • behind scheduleLater than planned; not making progress as fast as the schedule says it should.
  • rescheduleTo change the date or time of a meeting, call or event that was already planned.
  • on trackMaking the expected progress, so that a plan, target or deadline is likely to be met.
  • slotA period of time in a schedule that is available for, or has been given to, a meeting, call, presentation or other activity.

More terms: Deadlines and Scheduling

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