Late or Early: English Vocabulary List

used to refer to a really late hour at night or early morning

"He studies until all hours every night."

"The dedicated researchers worked until all hours of the day and night to complete the groundbreaking experiment on time."

too late or close to the end of a particular period or situation to be useful or effective

"It's too late in the day."

"Trying to negotiate a better deal when the contract is already signed is often too late in the day to be effective."

a time that is too late for something

"That's a day after the fair."

"His offer to help with the moving was a day after the fair, as all the boxes were already unpacked."

at a very early time in the morning when the Sun is just rising

"I wake up at the crack of dawn."

"The farmers wake up at the crack of dawn every morning to tend to their animals and crops."

at an hour of the morning that is really early

"We left bright and early."

"The hikers set off bright and early to catch the sunrise from the mountain summit."

the time of the morning when the Sun has just started to shine..

"We arrived at first light."

"The fishermen went out to sea at first light, hoping to catch the morning tide."

at the earliest time that it is possible or suitable for someone to do something

"Please call at your earliest convenience."

"Kindly submit your application at your earliest convenience so we can begin the review process promptly."

used to indicate that something should have happened or been done earlier

"It is high time now."

"It is about time you started taking your studies seriously if you want to pass your final exams."

at the last moment that it is still possible to do something

"He arrived at the eleventh hour."

"The two countries reached a peace agreement at the eleventh hour just before the war was about to start."

used to refer to early morning hours or the hours after the midnight

"He worked the small hours."

"The dedicated nurse continued her shift through the small hours, caring for patients who needed constant attention."

something that appears or arrives too late to be of any use or benefit

"His help was late."

"The company's attempt to recall the faulty product was a day late and a dollar short, as many customers had already been affected."

right after the finalization of a deal, agreement, etc.

"He changed his mind before the ink was dry."

"The newly signed contract was broken before the ink was dry by the dishonest company."

the final moment or deadline to do something

"Do not leave everything until the last minute."

"The procrastinator always does his homework at the last minute and then complains about being stressed."

a distant moment or period in the future or past that is often marked by significant technological, cultural, or historical changes

"My dream job is light years away."

"The technology we have now would have seemed light years away to people living a hundred years ago."

at the earliest time that it is possible or suitable for someone to do something

"Please reply at earliest convenience."

"Kindly submit your application at your earliest convenience so we can review it promptly."