A day late and a dollar short

Meaning

Too late or insufficient to succeed.

Usage

Used when timing or resources are inadequate.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Commerce metaphor describing weak timing and funding.

American businesses used the phrase in the early 1900s.