証しょう文もんの出だし後おくれ

expression, noun

something done too late; too little, too late

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'presenting a deed after the fact', used when an action or proof comes too late to be useful. Often implies that the opportunity has already passed.

• 今いまさら謝あやまられても証しょう文もんの出だし後おくれだ。

  An apology now is too little, too late.

• その証しょう拠こは裁さい判ばんが終おわってから出でてきたので、証しょう文もんの出だし後おくれだった。

  The evidence came out after the trial ended, so it was a case of too little, too late.