in arrears

Idioms  

1. Late or behind, especially in payment of money. For example, He's been in arrears on his rent so often that he may be evicted. [First half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

Rick Burgess from the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People said research suggested thousands of people were in arrears to their councils.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustments are made a year in arrears, so if your costs rose this year, your Social Security payments wouldn’t go up in response until 2027.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

By the summer, Saks was in arrears with more suppliers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

While nonperforming loans, those more than 90 days overdue, remain tame at 2% sector-wide, loans more than 30 days in arrears have risen steadily since the pandemic to 9.5%, he says.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

The pews were decrepit, the bills were once so in arrears the electricity was nearly turned off, and the padre hadn’t installed air-conditioning, despite summer temperatures that reach 120 degrees.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

Related Words

• expected
• outstanding
• overdue
• owed
• payable
• scheduled