# too late

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/too-late
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Used to indicate that something is ineffective or useless because it happens after the best time for it.

## Examples

- I wanted to buy tickets, but it was too late.
- He tried to apologize for the argument, but she told him it was too late to fix things.
- By the time the government finally decided to intervene in the economic crisis, it was too late to prevent the market from collapsing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.