in arrears
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb 1. Overdue in payment; having failed to pay money owed by the required time. This describes a situation where a financial obligation (like rent, a loan, or a bill) has not been paid by its due date. 2. Late or behind in progress, schedule, or fulfillment of an obligation. This can extend beyond finance to mean generally delayed or not up to date.
Usage
The phrase "in arrears" is used to describe a state of being behind, primarily in financial contexts. It often follows the verb "to be" (is, are, was, were) or appears after the noun it modifies. * It is common to specify what the debt is for using the preposition "with": in arrears with [payments/rent/bills]. * It can also specify the amount or period: in arrears of [three months/$500].
Examples
- Adverb:
- The tenant is in arrears and risks eviction. (The tenant has not paid the rent on time.)
- They fell in arrears with their car payments after losing his job. (They failed to make the required car loan payments.)
- The account is in arrears of $250. (The account has an overdue balance of $250.)
Advanced Usage
- "Paid in arrears": This is a specific business and payroll term meaning payment is made the work period has been completed or a service period has ended. For example, employees paid on the 5th of the month for work done in the previous month are paid in arrears. This is a standard practice and does not imply a delinquency.
- Our company's payroll is processed in arrears.
Variants and Related Words
- Arrear (noun, often used in plural: arrears): The state of being behind or overdue, or the overdue debt itself.
- He is trying to pay off the arrears on his loan.
- Arrearage (noun): Another term for an amount of money that is overdue; an accumulation of arrears.
Synonyms
- Behindhand: Late or behind, especially in duties or payments.
- Overdue: Not paid or completed by the due date.
- Delinquent: Failing to pay an owed debt on time.
- In debt: Owing money.
Related Phrases
- To fall into arrears: To become late in payment.
- If you miss a payment, you will fall into arrears.
- To be in default: A more severe legal state of failing to meet a financial obligation, often following a period of being in arrears.
Adverb
- in debt
- he fell behind with his mortgage payments
- a month behind in the rent
- a company that has been run behindhand for years
- in arrears with their utility bills