be in arrearsif someone is in arrears, or if their payments are in arrears, they are late in paying something that they should pay regularly, such as rent
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
late arriving or happening after the time that was expected or arranged:
Sorry I’m late.
The bus was late.
Spring seems to be very late this year.not on time not arriving or doing something at the time that was expected or arranged:
He never hands his homework in on time.
If we don’t leave on time, we’ll miss the flight.overdue not done or happening by the expected time – used especially about payments that are late or library books that should have been returned:
Your rent is three weeks overdue.
I had to pay a £3 fine on some overdue library books.be behind with something British English,
be behind on something American English to be late in doing something that you have to do:
I can’t come out because I’m behind with my English essay.be held up to be made late for a meeting, appointment etc by something that happens, especially by bad traffic:
I was held up by a traffic jam.be delayed to be prevented from arriving, leaving, or happening at the expected time – often used about public transport:
The flight was delayed by bad weather.belated /bɪˈleɪtəd, bɪˈleɪtɪd/ given or done late – used especially about something that someone has forgotten or failed to do:
a belated birthday card
I’m still hoping for a belated apology from him.tardy especially American English formal arriving or happening late:
a habitually tardy person
a tardy decisionbe in arrears /əˈrɪəz $ əˈrɪrz/
formal to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should:
One in eight mortgage payers are in arrears. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲
in arrears adv. phr. Late or behind in payment of money or in finishing something.
■ Usually used of a legal debt or formal obligation.
Poor Mr. Brown! He is in arrears on his rent.
He is in arrears on the story he promised to write for the magazine. [TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲