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Glite Dictionary
soon enough

soon enough

171 1.7
Happens at a time that is early enough, not too late
  • idiom
translation icon : a tiempo
  • We'll get there soon enough.
  • come soon enough
  • learn soon enough

The wonderful thing is, if you find it soon enough, it won't kill you.

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Examples

  • For many in the sector, service users and carers, reform cannot come soon enough.

    Academic text (2010)

  • You'll see your results soon enough, so try not to worry.

  • So soon enough you will know more.

  • You will see soon enough, but we are very excited for our special guest.

  • If he could reach that door soon enough, he would be safe.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • I'll be back on my feet soon enough.

    Do the Right Thing (1989)

  • And everyone else, well, you'll get it soon enough, right?

  • He said the reasons would become clear soon enough.

    Conclave (2024)

  • You're going to find out soon enough.

    The Postman (1997)

  • If they reached the marsh soon enough, the fog would close in and hide them.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

early
vssoon enough
∞ 1.0

Before the usual or expected time

is timed to avoid being late rather than simply occurring before normal time
in time
vssoon enough
524 1.1

Before the last moment, early enough not to be late

is sufficiently prior to the deadline to prevent lateness rather than barely on time
just in time
vssoon enough
167 3.5

At the last moment before it is too late

is about being early enough, not only arriving at the last possible moment
in good time
vssoon enough
16 3.2

Happen at the right time, neither too late nor too early

focuses on being prior enough to avoid lateness rather than perfect timing
not a minute too soon
vssoon enough
  • Informal
5.9

Happens just in time before it is too late

means being early enough rather than reaching the deadline at the last second

How Timely

early
∞ 1.0
soon enough
171 1.7
on time
321 1.0
late
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

soon enough positive

Morphology

soon + enough

The meaning 'at a sufficiently early time' is directly and compositionally derived from 'soon' (after a brief period) modified by 'enough' (to a sufficient degree). This construction follows a common and cross-linguistic pattern of using 'enough' to indicate sufficiency, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrase soon enough comes from the idea of soon ('quickly') and enough ('sufficient'). Imagine waiting at a bus stop, the bus does not have to come right away but if it arrives 'not too late' you will still be on time, and that is why soon enough means 'not too late'.