A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Welcome to English in a Minute, where we teach you all about idioms in American English.

If you have ever heard American English, you may have heard this: a day late and a dollar short.

如果你曾听到过一些美语(中的习语），你可能听过这句：“a day late and a dollar short”

What does this mean? Let's find out by listening to an American English conversation.

A: Hey, did you hear Steve was late to the birthday party, and he forgot to bring a gift!

B: Yes, I did. He is always a day late and a dollar short to everything. A: I know!

When people say a day late and a dollar short, they mean you are too late, unprepared, or ... disorganized.

当有人说a day late and a dollar short，他们意思是你太迟了、欠准备，或者毫无纪律。

You only want to say this with your friends, because it is an informal phrase.

You don't want to use this in a formal or a business setting, because it may be rude.

你不能将其用在正式场合或者商务环境下，因为这样可能显得不礼貌。（business setting：商务场合）

Remember, a lot of American English is delivered by your facial expressions.

记住喽，很多美式英语是靠面部表情来传达的 -：）

And that's English in a Minute.