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Synonyms

behind the times

Idioms  

  1. Not keeping up with current fashion, methods, or ideas, as in Your accounting methods are behind the times. Charles Dickens used this idiom in Dombey and Son (1848): “I'm old-fashioned, and behind the Time.” [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"You'd think it's something small but a lot of clubs are still behind the times with that. It's about breaking those barriers and making sure spaces are available for mums," she added.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

Others criticized the institution he led for being far behind the times in general.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2025

The tenor of such softball japes can make “Shifting Gears” feel behind the times.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2025

Now, if a league or network isn’t doing something to appeal to younger fans, they are behind the times.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 10, 2024

He said we were delightful, and if there’s one way to show how much you’re not trying to make believe you’re not behind the times, it’s to go around saying people are delightful.

From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.