behind the times

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.

When he returned to the U.S. after eight years abroad, he remarked, “Europeans are 20 years behind the times, but working damned hard three days a week to catch up.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

"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

Springfield: At the time, Australia was kind of behind the times, so at the show, when the Beatles came on it was like they were from Mars.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2024

Louis Lépine and Alphonse Bertillon, supposedly the finest detectives in Europe, were far behind the times.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day