Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking A Day Late and a Dollar short

An idiom is a phrase or expression in which meaning cannot be directly understood by reading each word. For IELTS speaking candidates must learn how to use them accurately, so they don't sound unnatural. There are thousands of idioms and phrasal verbs used every day when we express ourselves.

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It is very important to consider the context of to whom or what the idiom is pointed towards. This particular IELTS speaking idiom ‘A day late and a dollar short’ consists of different exercises and scenarios so that the candidates understand the accurate usage of this idiom in a conversation.

Topic: Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking - A Day Late and a Dollar short

• A Day Late and a Dollar short

Origin: This idiom has been in use for many decades. There is a recorded oldest use of this idiom a day late and a dollar short in print was in 1939.

Meaning: an action taken was taken late and is of no use, late and not prepared

Synonyms: delay, lateness, too little too late

Examples:

1. Jake tried to save his marriage after cheating, but his wife viewed his efforts as a day late and a dollar short.
2. Your assignment for the internship is a day late and a dollar, now we've already hired another intern.
3. Rakul, you always show up a day late and a dollar short all the time now you need to change this habit.
4. I agree that my performance in the group discussion was a day late and a dollar short. I should have started training months before the main event.
5. It would have really strengthened our case but now it's a day late and a dollar short.

Exercise:

Fill in the blanks to understand the usage of the idiom:

1. The cops dismissed his complaint calling it ………………………………………..
2. Being …………………………………………. the monsoon rains did not benefit the farmers.
3. As he was ……………………………………, he failed in his interview.

Answer 1: A day late and a dollar short

Explanation: In this sentence, it is expressed that the cops dismissed the complaint calling it a day late and a dollar short. This means that they think that the complaint that has been filled is late and is of no use. It will only waste their time. Hence the idiom used here correctly describes the situation.

Also, check:

Answer 2: A day late and a dollar short

Explanation: In the above sentence it is mentioned that the monsoon rain did not benefit the farmer as it was late. The farmers expected the monsoon to be on time so that their crops could flourish but the rain was a day late and a dollar short. And it did not benefit the farmers so it is of no use hence this idiom perfectly describes the farmers’ situation.

Answer 3: A day late and a dollar short

Explanation: In the above given sentence, the person failed the interview because he was a day late and a dollar short. This means that he was late for the interview and now nothing could be done. So this idiom accurately fits the description.