meet demand

You usually use this phrase with a subject that provides something. A company, a person, or even a city can meet demand. You can say someone is "struggling to" or "failing to" meet demand if they are overwhelmed. It works perfectly when talking about time, products, or even emotional support. Just pair the provider with the action and the target.

Use it in a business meeting when discussing sales. Use it at home when your kids want more snacks than you bought. It is great for describing why a store is empty. If you are a freelancer, use it to explain your busy schedule. It sounds smart but remains very easy to understand.

Do not use this for one-on-one simple favors. If a friend asks for a pen, don't say "I am meeting your demand." That sounds like you are a robot or a giant corporation. Avoid it in deeply romantic moments. Telling a partner you are "meeting their emotional demand" sounds like a cold business contract. Stick to situations involving volume or expectations.

This phrase comes from the heart of economics: supply and demand. In Western culture, being able to meet demand is a sign of success and reliability. It reflects a fast-paced society that values efficiency. If a business cannot meet demand, it is often seen as a "good problem to have" because it means you are popular, but also a risk because customers might get angry.

You will often hear supply meets demand in textbooks. In casual talk, people say keep up with demand. If the demand is very high, you might hear struggling to meet the surging demand. Sometimes people drop the "the" and just say meet demand as a general concept. It is a flexible workhorse of the English language.