behind the times
idiom
: not having or showing knowledge of current ideas or styles : outdated, old-fashioned
The entire country is behind the times when it comes to protecting the environment.
Our professor is surprisingly behind the times.
Examples of behind the times in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The sound reaches for modern but still feels a solid decade behind the times, forgoing the specificity and nuance that makes the musical style interesting in favor of bland crowd-pleasing platitudes.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 14 June 2024
Last week's death of O.J. Simpson, whose murder trial beamed live from a California courtroom captivated a nation three decades ago, was a telling reminder of how New York is behind the times — or, at least, a holdout.
—David Bauder, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024
Leaders who voiced such views, such as Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez, were dismissed as eccentrics, their ideas behind the times.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2024
Directed by Gus van Sant, languorous, malicious meals unspool at La Côte Basque, the midtown society lunch spot, gloves are sought at Saks (they are shamed for being behind the times and told to–gasp–try Lord & Taylor).
—Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for behind the times 
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 14 June 2024
Last week's death of O.J. Simpson, whose murder trial beamed live from a California courtroom captivated a nation three decades ago, was a telling reminder of how New York is behind the times — or, at least, a holdout.
—David Bauder, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024
Leaders who voiced such views, such as Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez, were dismissed as eccentrics, their ideas behind the times.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2024
Directed by Gus van Sant, languorous, malicious meals unspool at La Côte Basque, the midtown society lunch spot, gloves are sought at Saks (they are shamed for being behind the times and told to–gasp–try Lord & Taylor).
—Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for behind the times
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'behind the times.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near behind the times
Cite this Entry
“Behind the times.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20times. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share