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The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms » behind in
behind in
behind in idiom
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Also, behind on. Late with; not progressing quickly enough with. For example, The builders are behind on this project, or I can't take time out or I'll be too far behind in my work. The same idea is also expressed as behind time, where time means a schedule or appointed time, as in The bus should have been here; it's behind time. [Early 1300s] Also see fall behind.
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In arrears, owing more than one should. For example, Jane and Bob are behind in their payments, so the interest will mount up. [Late 1300s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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