meet a deadline

Meaning

To finish something by the time it must be finished.

Examples

1. We worked all weekend to meet the deadline. US UK
2. She always meets her deadlines. US UK
3. If we don’t meet the deadline, the client will cancel the contract. US UK

How to use it

Meet goes with targets and limits: meet a deadline, meet a target, meet requirements. The opposite is miss a deadline. To create one, say set a deadline.

Common mistake

Not: I can’t reach the deadline.
Say: I can’t meet the deadline. (Use meet with deadline.)