PhrasesHub

Behind the times

    Definitions

      • out of date or old-fashioned
        To describe something or someone as being outdated or not keeping up with current trends or advancements

      • lacking knowledge or information about something new or modern
        To indicate a lack of awareness or understanding about a current topic or development, often used in a critical or condescending manner

    Examples of Behind the times

    • Grandma still insists on using a rotary phone, she's really behind the times.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is outdated or not keeping up with modern trends or technology. In this example, Grandma's use of a rotary phone, which is an older type of telephone, is seen as outdated compared to the more modern and common use of touch-tone or cell phones.

    • My cousin still wears bell-bottom jeans and platform shoes, he's really behind the times.

      This idiom can also be used to describe someone's fashion sense as outdated. In this example, the cousin's choice of bell-bottom jeans and platform shoes, which were popular in the 1970s, is seen as outdated compared to more current fashion trends.

    • My uncle still uses a typewriter to write his letters, he's really behind the times.

      This idiom can also be used to describe someone's work habits or methods as outdated. In this example, the uncle's use of a typewriter, which is an older writing technology, is seen as outdated compared to the more common use of computers and word processing software.

    • My brother still listens to cassette tapes, he's really behind the times.

      This idiom can also be used to describe someone's entertainment preferences as outdated. In this example, the brother's choice of cassette tapes, which were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, is seen as outdated compared to more current entertainment formats like CDs, DVDs, or streaming services.

    • My aunt still uses a map and compass to navigate, she's really behind the times.

      This idiom can also be used to describe someone's methods of doing something as outdated. In this example, the aunt's use of a map and compass, which were popular before the widespread use of GPS technology, is seen as outdated compared to more modern and convenient navigation methods.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "behind the times" is commonly used to describe something or someone as outdated or not keeping up with current trends. It can also convey a lack of knowledge or understanding about a modern topic or development. This idiom is often used in a negative or critical context, as it implies that the person or thing is not keeping up with the times and may be seen as old-fashioned or uninformed.

    Origin of "Behind the times"

    The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is likely derived from the phrase "behind the curve," which was used in the context of stocks and investments to describe a company that was not keeping up with industry trends and therefore not performing well. This phrase eventually evolved into "behind the times," which has a similar meaning of being out of touch with current developments.

    Another possible origin of this idiom could be related to the industrial revolution and the rapid advancements in technology during that time. People who were not able to keep up with these advancements may have been seen as "behind the times" and unable to adapt to the changing world.

    Overall, the idiom "behind the times" is still commonly used today to describe anything or anyone that is seen as outdated or not keeping up with the modern world. Its origin may be rooted in the world of finance or technology, but its usage has expanded to encompass a broader range of meanings.