slight delay
تأخير طفيف
Use `slight delay` to minimize stress when things are running just a few minutes behind schedule.
En 15 secondes
- A polite way to say something is a little bit late.
- Best for delays lasting only 5 to 15 minutes.
- Commonly used in travel, business, and polite social texts.
Signification
This phrase describes a very small amount of extra time you have to wait. It is a polite way to say something is running a little bit late without sounding like a disaster.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Texting a friend while stuck in traffic
Hey! There's a slight delay on the bridge, I'll be there in ten.
Hey! There's a slight delay on the bridge, I'll be there in ten.
A pilot speaking to passengers
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a slight delay due to weather.
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a slight delay due to weather.
In a business meeting about a project
We've hit a slight delay with the final report, but it's coming today.
We've hit a slight delay with the final report, but it's coming today.
Contexte culturel
This phrase is a classic example of British and American understatement. In these cultures, admitting a major failure is often avoided by using 'minimizing' adjectives like 'slight.' It became a standard announcement phrase in the mid-20th century with the rise of commercial air and rail travel.
The 15-Minute Rule
Only use `slight delay` if you are less than 15-20 minutes late. Any longer and it feels like an understatement.
Sarcasm Alert
If someone uses this for a 5-hour wait, they are being sarcastic and are likely very annoyed!
En 15 secondes
- A polite way to say something is a little bit late.
- Best for delays lasting only 5 to 15 minutes.
- Commonly used in travel, business, and polite social texts.
What It Means
Slight delay is the ultimate 'softener' in English. It means something is late, but only by a few minutes. It suggests that the problem is small and easily fixed. Think of it as the polite cousin of 'I'm late.' It turns a stressful situation into a minor hiccup. Use it when you want to stay calm and professional.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase as a noun. It often follows the word a or some. You will see it on airport screens or hear it from a waiter. In a sentence, you might say, 'There has been a slight delay with your order.' It sounds much better than saying, 'We forgot to cook your steak.' It keeps the mood light and manageable.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings like emails or meetings. It is perfect for travel situations like trains or flights. Use it when you are meeting a friend and you are five minutes late. It works best when the wait is under fifteen minutes. If you are two hours late, this phrase might make people angry! It is great for managing expectations politely.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if the delay is actually huge. If your house flooded, do not call it a slight delay. People will think you are being sarcastic or dishonest. Avoid it in very emotional emergencies where speed is life or death. Also, do not use it if you have no intention of arriving at all. It implies that the thing is still happening soon.
Cultural Background
English speakers, especially in the UK and US, love understating problems. We prefer to minimize bad news to keep everyone comfortable. This is part of 'polite distance' in Western culture. By calling a problem slight, you are telling the other person, 'Don't worry, I have this under control.' It is a linguistic tool for maintaining social harmony during minor inconveniences.
Common Variations
You might hear minor delay or brief delay as well. They mean almost the same thing. Small delay is more common in very casual speech. If you want to sound more formal, stick with slight. If you want to sound even more casual, you might just say, 'I'm running a bit behind.' But slight delay remains the gold standard for polite lateness.
Notes d'usage
This is a very safe, 'neutral' phrase. It works in almost any situation where you need to apologize for a small amount of lost time without sounding overly dramatic.
The 15-Minute Rule
Only use `slight delay` if you are less than 15-20 minutes late. Any longer and it feels like an understatement.
Sarcasm Alert
If someone uses this for a 5-hour wait, they are being sarcastic and are likely very annoyed!
The 'Polite' Shield
In English culture, using `slight` helps you avoid blame by making the problem seem like a tiny external force.
Exemples
6Hey! There's a slight delay on the bridge, I'll be there in ten.
Hey! There's a slight delay on the bridge, I'll be there in ten.
Uses the phrase to manage a friend's expectations casually.
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a slight delay due to weather.
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a slight delay due to weather.
Very standard professional announcement style.
We've hit a slight delay with the final report, but it's coming today.
We've hit a slight delay with the final report, but it's coming today.
Softens the blow of a missed deadline.
I'm sorry, there's a slight delay with your appetizers tonight.
I'm sorry, there's a slight delay with your appetizers tonight.
Used by staff to keep customers from getting hangry.
Oh sure, a three-hour wait is just a 'slight delay' according to them!
Oh sure, a three-hour wait is just a 'slight delay' according to them!
Using the phrase ironically to show frustration.
I'm so sorry, a slight delay at the office kept me longer than expected.
I'm so sorry, a slight delay at the office kept me longer than expected.
Used to show respect for the other person's time.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the professional apology.
Due to a ___ delay in production, your order will ship tomorrow.
`Slight` is the standard collocation for small time delays in English.
Which phrase makes the lateness sound the least problematic?
I'm sorry, we are experiencing a ___.
`Slight delay` minimizes the issue and sounds more professional and calm.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of Lateness
Used with friends
I'm running a bit late.
Safe for all situations
There is a slight delay.
Official announcements
We regret to inform you of a slight delay.
Where you'll hear 'Slight Delay'
Airport Intercom
Flight 202 has a slight delay.
Work Email
Slight delay on the feedback.
Coffee Shop
Slight delay on the espresso machine.
Text Message
Traffic is causing a slight delay.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it sounds much more polite. Saying I'm late sounds like your fault, while there is a slight delay sounds more like an objective situation.
You can, but slight delay is a much more common 'collocation' (words that naturally go together). It sounds more natural to native ears.
Absolutely. It is a very professional way to handle a minor timing issue like a slight delay in traffic.
There is no fixed time, but usually, it implies 5 to 15 minutes. If it's an hour, you should probably use significant delay.
No, slight is the adjective for the noun delay. You could say 'the bus was slightly delayed' (using the verb form), but slight delay is the common phrase.
It is extremely common in both British and American English, especially in public transport announcements.
Then you should use major delay or lengthy delay. Using slight for a long wait can make people think you are lying.
It is neutral to formal. It's polite enough for a CEO but simple enough for a text to a friend.
You can use minor delay, brief hold-up, or short wait. Slight delay is the most versatile of these.
Usually, delay refers to time. However, you can have a slight delay in a process or a physical reaction.
Expressions liées
Running a bit behind
A casual way to say you are slightly late.
Brief hold-up
A short, temporary stop or delay.
Behind schedule
When something is taking longer than the planned time.
Technical hitch
A small technical problem causing a delay.
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