Word partners
B1
· Daily English
meet a deadline
The correct verb is “meet” a deadline — not “reach”, “catch”, or “do”.
What it means
You meet a deadline when you finish in time. If you finish late, you miss the deadline.
Related natural pairs: a deadline is tight (very little time), you can be up against a deadline, and a project can be behind or on schedule.
💡 You “meet” a deadline like you meet a train — you have to be there on time.
Examples
- We met the deadline with an hour to spare.
- If we miss this deadline, the client will not be happy.
- It's a tight deadline, but it’s possible.
Quick check
1. Choose the natural phrase: “I’m worried we won’t ___ the deadline.”
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