Could you provide an explanation for the meaning of "In a timely manner"? Is it considered an idiom and what are the appropriate situations to use it in?
2023-04-17
This is what goPenpal answered
Sure, I'd be happy to explain the meaning of "in a timely manner"!
When we say that something should be done "in a timely manner," we mean that it should be completed within a reasonable amount of time - neither too quickly nor too slowly. In other words, it's about finding the right balance between acting too impulsively (e.g. rushing through a task without taking the time to do it properly) and taking too long to get something done (e.g. procrastinating or delaying unnecessarily).
To give you an example, let's say you're at work, and your boss asks you to complete a report by the end of the day. If you finish the report within a few hours, that would be considered completing it "in a timely manner." On the other hand, if you don't even start working on the report until just before the end of the day, that would be considered completing it "late" or "not in a timely manner."
As for whether "in a timely manner" is considered an idiom - I would say that it's a common phrase, but not necessarily an idiom. Unlike idioms, which often have metaphorical meanings that don't necessarily make sense if you translate them literally, "in a timely manner" is a straightforward phrase that means exactly what it says.
In terms of appropriate situations to use it, "in a timely manner" is a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of contexts where "promptness" or "timeliness" is important. For example, you might use it when giving instructions to someone on how to complete a task, or when setting expectations for how quickly you expect something to be done. Alternatively, you might use it to apologize for not completing something on time: "I'm sorry I wasn't able to get this to you in a timely manner."
Overall, "in a timely manner" is a useful phrase that can help us communicate clearly and efficiently, by emphasizing the importance of getting things done in a reasonable amount of time.
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