手て遅おくれ

noun

too late; missed the chance

Describes a situation where action is no longer effective because the critical moment has passed. Often used in expressions like 手遅れになる (become too late) or 手遅れだ (it's too late).

• 病びょう院いんに着ついたときにはもう手て遅おくれだった。

  By the time we arrived at the hospital, it was already too late.

• 今いまから勉べん強きょうを始はじめても手て