Meaning
« Better Late Than Never » est une expression anglaise qui signifie qu'il vaut mieux faire quelque chose tard que de ne jamais le faire du tout. Cette phrase est souvent utilisée pour encourager quelqu'un qui s'inquiète d'être en retard ou de prendre du temps pour accomplir une tâche. L'idée principale est que l'action, même si elle est tardive, est plus précieuse que l'inaction.
Par exemple, si vous apprenez une nouvelle compétence ou reprenez contact avec un ami après une longue période, vous pourriez dire « Better Late Than Never » pour souligner que le fait d'avoir finalement pris des mesures est positif, peu importe le délai.
Dans la vie quotidienne, cette expression peut être utilisée dans divers contextes, que ce soit dans le cadre professionnel ou personnel. Elle véhicule un message de persévérance et de positivité face aux retards ou aux hésitations.
Utilisez « Better Late Than Never » pour encourager les efforts et les progrès, peu importe le moment où ils se produisent. C'est une reconnaissance du fait qu'il n'est jamais trop tard pour bien faire.
Example
We arrived at the stadium half-way into the game, but better late than never.
I'm starting my undergraduate degree at 45, but better late than never. I've always wanted to be a nurse.
I just started taking guitar lessons, but better late than never. I finally have the time to learn!
Tips on How to Learn Idioms
Idioms are unpredictable and it makes no sense when you translate them into your first language. But you can do a few things to help learn a few and keep them under your belt!
- Create an idioms journal. Write or document digitally, the idioms that you will use often. Add their meanings, example sentences, and maybe add situations that happened to you and make it your own!
- Understand the situation. Make sure you understand the context in which you can use the idiom and try not to translate or take the idiom literally; one of the reasons why idioms are so difficult. Think about what the speaker is saying and when they say it. Imagine your own situation and see if the idiom fits.
- Practice often. Read them, write them, and say them out loud. You must hear your own voice in order for an idiom to sound natural and blend into the conversation. Include them when talking to friends and family, colleagues or other English speakers.
Practice along with our audio examples, record yourself saying the idioms, or if you need writing practice leave us a message! If you are unsure or struggling, we're here to help.
Quiz
What is an Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. Idioms are not just used in conversations – they're also very common in literature, movies, and music. We utilize them to convey a message in a concise and effective manner, and often have deep cultural or historical significance. They help to create a vivid and memorable image in the minds of the audience.
Idioms are difficult because they do not mean what they literally state. Communication challenges emerge when you translate an idiom in your language; it will not make sense or if it does make sense you may miss the intended meaning.
How to Study Idioms
- Read them. Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, online articles for exposure in written material.
- Watch them. Watch TV shows and movies in English! There are so many streaming services available for you to choose from. Listen attentively and try to understand the context in which they are used.
- Use them. Talk to native speakers and try to incorporate common idioms into your conversations. Try using them during conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or through text.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Remember that you can't learn all of them! So start with a few that you understand and build your library of idioms from there!
