Behindhand

Behindhand describes being late, delayed, or in arrears, particularly concerning payments, tasks, or schedules. It signifies a state of being less advanced than expected or required. This often implies a shortfall or a failure to meet deadlines. The term can also describe being slow or sluggish in one's progress. Being behindhand frequently generates feelings of pressure and urgency, as one attempts to catch up with their responsibilities or commitments. It suggests a need to rectify a situation and restore oneself to a state of being up-to-date.

Behindhand meaning with examples

• Sarah quickly realized she was behindhand on her rent, as the due date had passed. She worried about potential late fees and an awkward conversation with her landlord. Sarah immediately made a plan to catch up on all her outstanding payments. Her main focus became making payments to catch up on her rent
• The construction project was significantly behindhand due to unexpected rain and material shortages. The contractors were working extra hours to try and get the project back on schedule to avoid penalties for non-completion, while the project manager juggled to minimize losses and maintain momentum. They needed to work on catching up to prevent cost overruns.
• After falling ill for a week, John found himself behindhand with his schoolwork. He spent the entire weekend working on the assignments he missed. He stayed up all night and made sure he contacted his professors. He also felt the pressure of knowing that his friends had already done their work and would be moving on.
• The company was behindhand on their quarterly financial report, causing concerns among investors. They needed to gather and reconcile the data. They planned a meeting to determine why they were behindhand to assess the damage and what they could do better next time. The executive team made this a primary point of focus.
• Being behindhand in social obligations, like sending thank-you notes, can create a feeling of guilt and awkwardness. People may start to avoid those obligations or those they would normally send a note to. Making sure you are doing your best at keeping up can reduce the stress. Always sending them on time can help in that.