Better late than never
better late than never
Being tardy is better than not at all, as in We’ve been waiting for you for an hour—but better late than never. This phrase, first recorded about 1200, appears in several early English proverb collections, often with the added but better never late. Today it is often used in exasperation over a delay, as in the example.
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- Better off
being in better circumstances, especially economically: Only the better-off nations can afford to send probes into space. of superior quality or excellence: a better coat; a better speech. morally superior; more virtuous: They are no better than thieves. of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.; preferable: a better time for action. larger; greater: the better […]
- Better luck next time
better luck next time Contemporary Examples Why Greek Debt is Going Long Megan McArdle November 26, 2012 Historical Examples The Carter Girls’ Mysterious Neighbors Nell Speed Kildares of Storm Eleanor Mercein Kelly The Pioneer Boys of the Columbia Harrison Adams Throckmorton Molly Elliot Seawell Ben, the Luggage Boy; Horatio Alger Anything You Can Do … […]
- Better oneself
of superior quality or excellence: a better coat; a better speech. morally superior; more virtuous: They are no better than thieves. of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.; preferable: a better time for action. larger; greater: the better part of a lifetime. improved in health; healthier than before. completely recovered in health. in a more […]
- Better part of
see: better half , def. 1.
- Better safe than sorry
better safe than sorry Being careful may avoid disaster, as in I’m not taking any short-cuts—better safe than sorry. This cautionary phrase appeared as better sure than sorry in 1837.