0
Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

The police arrived not a moment too soon.

Hi

Please look at this sentence.

The police arrived not a moment too soon.

I would like to know if it was TOO LATE when the police arrived or it was NOT TOO LATE. Did the police coming help anyway or not.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

Hi, They were almost too late. It's a form of irony. They did not come too soon meaning they almost came too late.

  • Hi, They were almost too late.
  • It's a form of irony.
  • They did not come too soon meaning they almost came too late.
  • Clive
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
Hi,

They were almost too late.



It's a form of irony.

They did not come too soon meaning they almost came too late.



Clive
0
I don't blame you for asking. It's a confusing expression.
We'd also say, "They arrived just in the nick of time!"

Yes, they arrived in time to help.

Edit.I'm not as confident as Clive in explaining the expression. The more I think about it, the more confused I get!
0
Thanks Clive and Avangi!

I find "almost too late" a bit confusing too. I mean:

He was almost too late in reaching the airport.

Did he get the flight or not?

Same:

Help came not an instant too soon

Did anyone benefit from the help or not?

Tom
0
Hi,



He was too late. He missed the plane.

He was almost too late. He got on the plane.



Consider this .

You and I have tickets for a plane that leaves at 8pm.

I arrive at 7pm.

You arrive at 7:55pm.

I say to you, 'You're not too early'.

Tom, do you understand this r

Related Questions