to-meet-a-deadline
/tə miːt ə ˈded.laɪn/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To finish a task or submit work by the time it must be done. It is often used in study, office, and project settings.
- I worked late to meet the deadline.
- We must meet the deadline by Friday.
- She met the deadline with one hour to spare.
Adinary Nuance
Meet a deadline is the standard choice in formal and everyday English. It means finishing on time, not just doing the work well. It is close to “finish on time” and “submit on time,” but those are more general and less workplace-like. In business writing, meet a deadline sounds natural and professional.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- kịp hạn
- Spanish
- cumplir el plazo
- Chinese
- 按时完成
- Japanese
- 締め切りを守る
- Korean
- 마감일을 맞추다
Etymology
Deadline came into English in the late 1800s, first meaning a line prisoners could not cross. The modern business and study meaning developed later, for the last time work can be finished.
Common phrases
meet a tight deadlinemeet the deadlinefail to meet a deadlinedeadline pressure
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is “meet a deadline” formal or informal?
- It is neutral and works well in formal, academic, and office English.
- What is the difference between “meet a deadline” and “finish on time”?
- “Meet a deadline” is more specific. It often refers to work, assignments, or official tasks.
- Can I say “reach a deadline”?
- No, native speakers usually say “meet a deadline,” not “reach a deadline.”
- Is it used in IELTS or academic English?
- Yes. It is common in writing about study plans, projects, and work tasks.