Deadline
'ded.laɪn
Definitions
The latest time or date by which something should be completed or submitted.
'ded.laɪn
A time or date by which something must be finished.
The deadline for the project is next week.
💡 Simply: It's like a finish line for a race, but for your homework or a project. You have to get it done by a certain time, or you won't finish!
👶 For kids: It's the time you have to finish your homework or your playtime game. After the deadline, you can't do it anymore.
More Examples
I have to work hard to meet the deadline.
She missed the deadline and was penalized.
How It's Used
"The deadline for submitting the proposal is Friday."
"The reporter missed the deadline for the article."
"Students must submit their essays by the deadline."
Idioms & expressions
meet a deadline
To finish something before or at the time of the deadline.
"The team worked overtime to meet the deadline."
miss a deadline
To fail to finish something before the deadline.
"He missed the deadline for the essay."
push back a deadline
To postpone a deadline to a later time.
"The manager decided to push back the deadline to give the team more time."
Coined in the context of the American Civil War, the term originally referred to a line drawn around a prison beyond which prisoners would be shot. It evolved to signify a time limit for completing a task.
The term 'deadline' gained prominence during the American Civil War to denote the boundary beyond which prisoners of war were shot.
Memory tip
Think of it as the 'dead' line – if you cross it, there might be consequences!
Word Origin
"A specified date or time by which something must be completed."