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

See Examples For:

in arrears

The U.S. is more than $4 billion in arrears to the U.N.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 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

Jodie Davies, from Tonyrefail, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, owes £1,200 in arrears on her council tax and said councils should contact people earlier if they have missed a payment.

From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2026

Tariffs are paid a month in arrears, meaning the Supreme Court’s decision will likely affect March’s tariff revenue.

From Barron's ● Mar. 11, 2026

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