behind the times
/bɪˌhaɪnd ðə ˈtaɪmz/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
old-fashioned and unaware of modern developments
Examples
- 1That shop is behind the times; it still refuses to accept card payments.
- 2Am I behind the times for still buying paper maps instead of using my phone?
- 3Their teaching methods are behind the times: they still ban calculators and ignore all digital resources.
- 4This guidebook is behind the times; half the attractions it recommends closed years ago.
- 5The office seems behind the times, storing every record on paper while similar firms have gone digital.
Grammar
Usually follows be or seem. Keep the article the and the plural noun times.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about time
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →stand the test of timeto remain useful, strong or popular over many yearsa race against timean urgent effort to finish before a deadlineon the spur of the momentsuddenly, without having planned beforehandlose track of timeto stop noticing how much time has passedhave time on your handsto have free hours with nothing that needs doingbide your timeto wait patiently for a suitable opportunity to act
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
