Better Late Than Never
Exercise
1. The expression better late than never means:
a) it isn't worth doing something if it is late
b) doing something late is better than not doing it at all
2. In which of these situations could you say better late than never?
a) the post brings a birthday card the day before your birthday
b) the post brings a birthday card on your birthday
c) the post brings a birthday card the day after your birthday
Answers
1. b
2. c
Read
You’re listening to British Council’s English Online and I’m Nina. Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression better late than never. Let’s listen to the dialogue.
A: What took you so long? I've been waiting for you for ages!
B: Sorry! I missed the bus and had to walk here.
A Oh well, never mind. Better late than never!
This popular idiom is used to say that it is better to do something late than not do it at all. People often use it when someone arrives late for a meeting, but it can also be used, for example, when an email or a letter arrives late, when somoene finishes some work after the deadline has passed, or when a person finally gets around to doing something that they've been putting off for a long time.
There is another expression that has a similar structure, 'better safe than sorry'. We say this when we are being careful because something bad might happen later. For example, if it's cloudy and I take an umbrella because it might rain later, I can say 'better safe than sorry'.
And that’s it for now – join us again for some more Language Snacks.
You’ve been listening to English Online – the podcast for English learners in China.
Tue, 09/03/2010 - 10:27am — English Online Visitor
i think is very useful for us to say it. sometimes we usually forget to do something. but later we do it, so better late than never.
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 11:47pm — English Online Visitor
I agree with that. but I still think it's good to plan sth. ahead
Sat, 27/02/2010 - 4:26am — sumaya
sumai
Tt's was so easy , but useful and I like the suggest that better late than never.
Thanks
Tue, 23/02/2010 - 4:47am — vampire
Not bad
Mon, 22/02/2010 - 7:06am — summera
It's useful.
Fri, 22/01/2010 - 12:59am — English Online Visitor
thank gods, i find the podcast, better late than never
Thu, 10/09/2009 - 5:39am — gzal
wonderful
and if i am late , it's better than never>>>haha
Sat, 06/06/2009 - 10:25am — English Online Visitor
It's useful to me
Wed, 01/04/2009 - 7:22pm — English Online Visitor
VERY GOOD
Thu, 26/03/2009 - 8:25am — English Online Visitor
it' s too easy. is there any useful slang to learn