miss a deadline
يفوت الموعد النهائي
Literally: To fail to hit a target line of time
Use this when you fail to submit work or documents by a specific, pre-set time limit.
In 15 Seconds
- Failing to finish a task by the agreed-upon time.
- Commonly used in work, school, and official contexts.
- Carries a sense of negative consequence or pressure.
Meaning
This means you failed to finish a task or project by the time it was expected. You were too slow or late, and now the time limit has passed.
Key Examples
3 of 6Explaining a work delay
I'm so sorry, I missed the deadline for the monthly report.
I'm so sorry, I missed the deadline for the monthly report.
Talking to a teacher
If you miss the deadline, your grade will drop by ten percent.
If you miss the deadline, your grade will drop by ten percent.
Texting a friend about a shared project
Ugh, we totally missed the deadline for the contest entry!
Ugh, we totally missed the deadline for the contest entry!
Cultural Background
The term originated in the American Civil War as a literal line in prison camps that prisoners could not cross. By the early 20th century, it moved into the newspaper industry to describe the latest time a story could be printed. Today, it reflects a culture that highly values punctuality and strict schedules.
The 'Hard' vs 'Soft' Deadline
In offices, people talk about 'hard deadlines' (no excuses allowed) and 'soft deadlines' (flexible). Ask which one it is to save yourself stress!
Don't say 'Lose'
Many speakers try to say 'lose a deadline.' In English, you 'miss' it like you miss a bus. You didn't lose the date; you just weren't there on time.
In 15 Seconds
- Failing to finish a task by the agreed-upon time.
- Commonly used in work, school, and official contexts.
- Carries a sense of negative consequence or pressure.
What It Means
To miss a deadline is to be late with a delivery. Imagine a line on the ground. If you cross it too late, you lose. It is about timing and expectations. It usually involves work, school, or official paperwork.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. You can say "I missed the deadline" or "We are going to miss the deadline." It sounds active. It implies that a specific date or time was set before you started. Use it when the clock wins and you lose.
When To Use It
Use this in professional settings constantly. It is perfect for office meetings or emails to professors. You can also use it for personal goals. Did you forget to pay your electricity bill on time? You missed a deadline. Use it when there are consequences for being late.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for social hangouts. If you are late to meet a friend for coffee, you are just late. You didn't miss a deadline for a latte. It sounds too robotic for a date. Also, don't use it if no specific time was ever agreed upon.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, especially the US and Germany, time is money. Missing a deadline is often seen as a sign of being unreliable. The word deadline actually has a dark history. It comes from American prisons in the 1860s. It was a physical line. If a prisoner crossed it, they were shot. Today, it just means your boss might be annoyed!
Common Variations
You might hear people say they are pushing the deadline. This means they are asking for more time. If you meet a deadline, you finished exactly on time. If you are running up against a deadline, you are working fast because the time is almost over.
Usage Notes
This is a very safe phrase to use in any professional or academic environment. It is neutral in tone and widely understood across all English-speaking countries.
The 'Hard' vs 'Soft' Deadline
In offices, people talk about 'hard deadlines' (no excuses allowed) and 'soft deadlines' (flexible). Ask which one it is to save yourself stress!
Don't say 'Lose'
Many speakers try to say 'lose a deadline.' In English, you 'miss' it like you miss a bus. You didn't lose the date; you just weren't there on time.
The 'ASAP' Culture
If someone says a deadline is 'ASAP' (As Soon As Possible), they usually mean they wanted it yesterday! It's the most stressful kind of deadline.
Examples
6I'm so sorry, I missed the deadline for the monthly report.
I'm so sorry, I missed the deadline for the monthly report.
A standard professional apology.
If you miss the deadline, your grade will drop by ten percent.
If you miss the deadline, your grade will drop by ten percent.
Explaining consequences in an academic setting.
Ugh, we totally missed the deadline for the contest entry!
Ugh, we totally missed the deadline for the contest entry!
Expressing frustration in a casual way.
My dog ate my homework, so I missed the deadline... again.
My dog ate my homework, so I missed the deadline... again.
Using a classic, funny excuse for being late.
I'm terrified that I'll miss the deadline and lose my job.
I'm terrified that I'll miss the deadline and lose my job.
Shows the high stakes and anxiety involved.
Is there any way I can avoid missing the deadline?
Is there any way I can avoid missing the deadline?
A polite way to ask for more time.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the professional phrase.
If we don't hurry, we are going to ___ the deadline for the project.
In English, we specifically 'miss' a deadline, we don't 'lose' it.
Complete the sentence with the appropriate word.
She stayed up all night so she wouldn't miss the ___.
'Deadline' is the standard collocation for a time limit on a task.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Miss a Deadline'
Talking to classmates about an essay.
I totally missed the deadline, oops.
Standard office communication.
We missed the deadline for the application.
Legal or high-stakes contracts.
Failure to comply will result in a missed deadline penalty.
Where to use 'Miss a Deadline'
University
Submitting a thesis late.
Corporate Office
Sending a client proposal late.
Government
Filing taxes after the due date.
Creative Arts
Entering a film festival late.
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsNo, it's better to just say I'm late. A deadline is for a task, not a social arrival.
It's not rude, but the action itself is usually seen as a negative thing in a professional setting.
The opposite is to meet a deadline or make a deadline.
It is grammatically okay, but sounds unnatural. Missed is the standard word everyone uses.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal and legal documents to describe a failure to meet a date.
It means you have very little time to finish the work. Example: We are on a very tight deadline.
No, a deadline is always a point in time. You can't 'miss a person' as a deadline.
You can ask, Can we extend the deadline? This is the most common way to ask for a delay.
Usually only for administrative things, like the trade deadline when teams stop swapping players.
Yes, I missed the deadline is the most common way to report the mistake after it happened.
Not really, but people might say I blew the deadline if they want to sound more casual and admit a big mistake.
Related Phrases
Meet a deadline
To finish a task on time.
Extend a deadline
To move the due date to a later time.
Behind schedule
Doing work slower than planned.
Due date
The specific day something must be finished.
Cut it fine
To finish something only just in time.
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