untimely remark (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun Phrase

Phonetic Transcription

/ʌnˈtaɪmli rɪˈmɑrk/

Meaning and Usage

The term "untimely remark" refers to a comment or statement made at an inopportune or inappropriate time, often causing discomfort, embarrassment, or disruption to the conversation or situation. It is frequently used in both spoken and written contexts, although it may be more prevalent in formal or literary writing when discussing social interactions or etiquette.

Frequency of Use

The phrase "untimely remark" is considered relatively formal and thus is not as commonly used in casual conversation. It may be encountered more in critiques of social behavior or discussions around timing in communication.

Example Sentences

1. "His untimely remark during the meeting caught everyone off guard."

2. "Su comentario inoportuno durante la reunión sorprendió a todos."

3. "She regretted her untimely remark at the family dinner."

4. "Ella se arrepintió de su comentario inoportuno en la cena familiar."

5. "An untimely remark can lead to misunderstandings in a delicate situation."

6. "Un comentario inoportuno puede llevar a malentendidos en una situación delicada."

Idiomatic Expressions

"Untimely remark" is not commonly featured in idiomatic expressions as a standalone phrase. However, the concept of making comments or statements at inappropriate times is often reflected through various idioms and phrases in English. Below are a few relevant idiomatic expressions along with examples:

• "Read the room"
  "Before making an untimely remark, it's crucial to read the room to gauge the atmosphere."

• "Antes de hacer un comentario inoportuno, es crucial leer el ambiente para valorar la atmósfera."

• "Choose your words wisely"
  "He should learn to choose his words wisely to avoid an untimely remark."

• "Debería aprender a elegir sus palabras sabiamente para evitar un comentario inoportuno."

• "Put your foot in your mouth"
  "Her untimely remark made her feel like she had put her foot in her mouth."

• "Su comentario inoportuno la hizo sentir que se había metido la pata."

• "Bite your tongue"
  "Sometimes, it's better to bite your tongue than to make an untimely remark."

• "A veces, es mejor morderse la lengua que hacer un comentario inoportuno."

Etymology

The term "untimely" derives from the Old English "untimel," which translates to "not timely" or "not suitable for the time." It is formed by combining the prefix "un-" (not) with "timely," which comes from the late Middle English "timely," meaning occurring at a good or opportune time. The word "remark" comes from the Middle French "remarquer," meaning "to notice" or "to take notice of," which itself derives from "re-" (again) and "marquer" (to mark).

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Inopportune comment - Ill-timed statement - Discreet remark

Antonyms: - Timely comment - Appropriate statement - Well-timed observation