| 单词 | better late than never |
| 释义 | > as lemmasbetter late than never P3. Proverb. better late than never and variants. [Compare classical Latin potiusque sero quam nunquam obviam eundum audaciae temeritatique ‘and it was better that they should oppose their rashness and temerity late than never’ (Livy 4. 2), Greek κρεῖττον ἐστὶν ἄρξασθαι ὀψὲ τὰ δέοντα πράττειν ἤ μηδέποτε ‘it is better to start doing what must be done late than not at all’ (Dionysius of Halicarnassus Antiquitates Romanae 9. 9), Middle French, French il vaut mieux tard que jamais (c1400 or earlier).] ΚΠ c1390 Ancrene Riwle (Vernon) (2000) 121 Betere is late þen neuere. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Tale (Ellesmere) (1875) l. 1410 For bet than neuere is late. c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 1204 He seyde Vyce to forsake ys bettyr late then neuer. 1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys ii. f. xlii Syth that late is better then neuer. 1708 S. Ockley Conquest of Syria 276 Whilst he was murdering the unhappy Aleppians, Caled, (better late than never) came to their Relief. 1852 C. M. Yonge Two Guardians xviii. 364 She obtained from Agnes some admiration for Caroline's conduct, though in somewhat of the ‘better late than never style’. 1876 G. H. Lewes Let. 10 Jan. in ‘G. Eliot’ Lett. (1956) VI. 211 I think that in the next number at any rate a bill might be inserted with effect—better late than never! 1950 G. Greene Third Man ix. 77 Oh, Mr. Dexter, we have been so anxious, but better late than never. 1954 A. Huxley Let. 16 Sept. (1969) 711 I am sorry your holiday will have to be postponed so long; but better late than never. 1995 P. McCabe Dead School (1996) 261 It was a pity the barman hadn't made his suggestion sooner. But no matter. Better late than never. < as lemmas |
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