a day late and a dollar short
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review. Figurative class: Metaphor (PIE-English corpus, CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Common questions
What does “a day late and a dollar short” mean?
Too little too late.
Is “a day late and a dollar short” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.