1. a time or date by which something must be done
截止期限，最後期限
The deadline for submitting the report is Friday at 5 PM.
提交報告的截止期限是星期五下午五點。
We're working hard to meet the project deadline.
我們正努力趕上專案的截止期限。
Deadline Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
deadline
noun
快速理解
What does "Deadline" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Deadline"?
指必須完成某項任務或工作的最後期限。
- 1
截止日期
EN: the final date or time by which something must be completed
翻譯: 必須完成某事的最終日期或時間。
- 2
最後期限
EN: a time limit set for a project, assignment, or payment
翻譯: 為專案、任務或付款設定的時間限制。
- 3
期限線 (歷史/原義)
EN: historically, a line in a prison beyond which prisoners could be shot
翻譯: 歷史上指監獄中的一條界線，囚犯越線可能被射殺。
小提醒：注意：'deadline' 是不可數名詞，通常與 'meet'（趕上）、'miss'（錯過）、'extend'（延長）等動詞搭配使用，例如 'meet the deadline'（趕上截止日期）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Deadline" in English）
How to pronounce "Deadline" in English?"Deadline" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Deadline" from YouTube Videos
Michael Seibel - How to Plan an MVP
Y Combinator
“you probably realize that you added too many things to your spec and you're not going to make your deadline.”
(1 out of 9)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Deadline"?How does "Deadline" change by context?
2. a line or limit that must not be crossed, especially in a prison
（尤指監獄的）警戒線，不得越過的界線
The prisoners were warned not to cross the deadline in the exercise yard.
囚犯們被警告不得越過運動場上的警戒線。
3. a point in time beyond which something is no longer possible or effective
（某事不再可能或有效的）最終時限
The deadline for applying for the visa extension has passed.
申請簽證延期的最終時限已經過了。
There's a deadline for making changes to the contract.
修改合約有一個最終時限。
4. the time by which a journalist must submit a story for publication
（新聞報導的）截稿時間
The reporter was racing against the deadline to file the breaking news story.
記者正在與截稿時間賽跑，以提交這則突發新聞報導。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Deadline"?How to make natural sentences with "Deadline"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| deadline + for + noun | 為…設定的期限 | The deadline for the project is next Friday. (這個專案的截止日期是下週五。) |
| deadline + to + verb | 做…的截止時間 | We have a deadline to submit the report. (我們有一個提交報告的截止時間。) |
| meet/miss a deadline | 趕上/錯過截止日期 | The team worked hard to meet the deadline. (團隊努力趕上截止日期。) |
| set/establish a deadline | 設定截止日期 | The manager set a strict deadline for completion. (經理為完成工作設定了嚴格的截止日期。) |
| extend/push back a deadline | 延長截止日期 | They requested to extend the deadline by one week. (他們要求將截止日期延長一週。) |
| tight/loose deadline | 緊迫/寬鬆的期限 | We're working under a very tight deadline. (我們正在一個非常緊迫的期限下工作。) |
| face a deadline | 面臨截止日期 | The company is facing an important regulatory deadline. (公司正面臨一個重要的監管截止日期。) |
| ahead of/behind deadline | 提前/落後於截止日期 | Fortunately, we finished ahead of the deadline. (幸運的是，我們提前於截止日期完成了。) |
用法說明
How is "Deadline" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Deadline"?
deadline for + noun vs. deadline to + verb
- deadline for + noun 用於指定某個事物、專案或事件的最後期限。介系詞
for後面接名詞或名詞片語。 - deadline to + verb 用於強調必須在期限前完成的動作或任務。介系詞
to後面接動詞原形，形成不定詞片語。 - 兩者常可互換，但
deadline for更側重於「對象」，而deadline to更側重於「行動」。 - 在正式或書面語中，
deadline for submission比deadline to submit稍顯常見。 EN: The deadline for the project proposal is next Friday. 翻譯: 專案提案的截止日期是下週五。
EN:The deadline to submit the project proposal is next Friday.
翻譯:提交專案提案的截止日期是下週五。
總結建議
在大多數情況下兩者皆可，若強調「完成某動作」可用 deadline to + verb，若強調「某事物本身」則用 deadline for + noun。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Deadline" and similar words?How to choose "Deadline" vs alternatives?
deadline vs due date
「deadline」強調的是最終、不可延遲的截止點，通常帶有強制性與後果；「due date」則更常指預期或約定的交付日期，語氣較為中性。
deadline vs cutoff
「deadline」指任務完成的截止時間；「cutoff」則常指一個系統性的分界點（如資格、申請、數據收集的截止），之後便不再接受或納入。
deadline vs time limit
「deadline」是完成某事的「最終日期或時間」；「time limit」則是進行某項活動所允許的「持續時間長度」。
口語用法
How is "Deadline" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Deadline"?
引述
在對話中，人們常會引述或提及一個具體的截止日期，作為討論的焦點。 EN: "The deadline for the report is this Friday, so we need to hurry." 翻譯: 「報告的截止日期是這週五，所以我們得加快速度了。」
EN:"What's the deadline for the application? I heard it's next month."
翻譯:「申請的截止日期是什麼時候？我聽說是下個月。」
語氣強調
為了表達緊迫感或強調時間所剩無幾，常會加上修飾詞或使用特定語氣。 EN: "We're up against a hard deadline, so no extensions are possible." 翻譯: 「我們面對的是硬性截止日期，所以不可能延後。」
EN:"The deadline is literally tomorrow morning at 9 AM."
翻譯:「截止日期真的就是明天早上九點。」
停頓填充
在即時對話中，思考下一步時，可能會重複或使用這個詞作為短暫的停頓填充。 EN: "So, the deadline... wait, let me check my calendar again." 翻譯: 「所以，那個截止日期…等等，讓我再確認一下我的行事曆。」
EN:"We have to meet the deadline, the deadline for the client, you know?"
翻譯:「我們必須趕上截止日期，就是客戶的那個截止日期，你懂吧？」
正式書寫注意：在正式報告、合約或學術論文中，應使用更精確的表述，例如 "the submission deadline is set for..." 或 "the final due date"，並避免口語中的重複或填充用法。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Deadline"?What fixed phrases with "Deadline" should I remember?
meet a deadline
verb + deadline
在截止日期前完成
miss a deadline
verb + deadline
錯過截止日期
extend a deadline
verb + deadline
延長截止日期
set a deadline
verb + deadline
設定截止日期
tight deadline
adjective + deadline
緊迫的截止日期
deadline is approaching
deadline + verb
截止日期將至
final deadline
adjective + deadline
最終截止日期
work to a deadline
verb + preposition + deadline
按照截止日期工作
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Deadline"?Which "Deadline" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The deadline of the project is tomorrow.
✓The deadline for the project is tomorrow.
使用 'deadline' 時，通常搭配介系詞 'for' 來表示某事的截止日期，而不是 'of'。
×I have a deadline to finish this.
✓I have a deadline to meet / to finish this by.
表達「有截止日期要遵守」時，常用 'to meet a deadline' 或 'to have a deadline to do something by'。單獨使用 'to finish' 語意不完整。
×The deadline is until Friday.
✓The deadline is Friday. / The deadline is by Friday.
'Deadline' 指的是一個具體的時間點（或日期），表示在此「之前」必須完成。使用 'until'（直到）會造成語意混淆，因為 'until' 強調持續到某個時間點為止的狀態。
×We need to postpone the deadline.
✓We need to extend the deadline. / The deadline needs to be pushed back.
延長截止日期通常使用 'extend the deadline' 或 'push back the deadline'。'Postpone' 更常用於推遲事件或會議，而非日期本身。
×I missed to meet the deadline.
✓I missed the deadline.
表達「錯過截止日期」最直接且常見的說法是 'miss the deadline'。'Miss to meet' 是多餘且不自然的組合。
×The deadline is tight.
✓The deadline is tight. / We are on a tight deadline.
雖然 'The deadline is tight' 在文法上正確，但在英語中更自然、更常見的說法是 'We are on a tight deadline' 或 'We have a tight deadline'，強調人所處的狀況。單獨說 'The deadline is tight' 聽起來有點不自然。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Deadline"?What are tense/participle forms of "Deadline"?