better to be late than be dead on time

Questions

What does better to be late than be dead on time mean?

It is better to arrive late than to risk one's life speeding to a destination.

Where does better to be late than be dead on time come from?

A play on the term "dead on time" meaning exactly on time, but also meaning deceased.

How to pronounce better to be late than be dead on time

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “better to be late than be dead on time”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “better to be late than be dead on time”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “better to be late than be dead on time” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.