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Glite Dictionary
to stay on schedule

to stay on schedule

3 3.0
To keep to the planned time for an activity without being late
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : mantenerse en el horario
  • The payoff is risk mitigation, focusing on ways to make sure all nuclear plant operations stay on schedule and within budget.

Examples

  • Make certain the digging crew stays on schedule... for breakthrough midway in the dedication ceremony.

    Antz (1998)

  • To stay on schedule for the test, you're going to have to be finished in eight days.

    Captain Fantastic (2016)

  • I need to stay on schedule.

    Sucker Punch (2011)

  • Until then, we stay on schedule.

    Volcano (1997)

  • Now the only way we're gonna achieve all this is if we stay on schedule.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • So, one thing with TV production, you have to stay on schedule.

    Blog text (2)

  • Try to stay on schedule for a change.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • We've got to stay on schedule, all right?

    Hotel Transylvania (2012)

  • - If he wants to stay on schedule for easter, he's gonna have to make up for lost time.

    Resurrection (1999)

  • We have 600 miles to cover today to stay on schedule and reach Prime headquarters in Springfield by midnight.

Synonyms

to go according to plan
vsto stay on schedule
33 2.4

To happen as expected

emphasizes keeping to timing and avoiding delays rather than outcomes
to stick to the plan
vsto stay on schedule
21 3.0

Continue doing what everyone agreed without changing it

focuses on maintaining timing and avoiding delays rather than following decisions

Antonyms

to delay
562 1.4

To make something happen later than planned

to fall behind
70 2.8

To not keep up with others or a schedule

How Timely

to stay on schedule
3 3.0

Surface Forms

stay on schedule infinitive
stayed on schedule past
stayed on schedule past participle
staying on schedule present participle
stays on schedule third person singular

Morphology

stay + on + schedule

The meaning 'to continue to follow a planned timetable' is directly and transparently derivable from 'stay' (remain) + 'on' (indicating position/adherence) + 'schedule' (timetable). This is a common, literal compositional pattern in English (cf. 'on time', 'stay on track') and would be clear to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Stay on schedule paints a clear image: imagine a train that must stay with a printed schedule, arriving at each stop at the planned time instead of being late. That's why it means 'to follow a planned timetable without delay'.