11 Excuses People Who Are Always Late Use To Avoid Responsibility

Chronic lateness doesn’t always come with an apology. People who are late to everything often develop a mental catalog of excuses to justify their behavior to themselves and others. These aren’t always lies. They’re often real-life circumstances, stretched just far enough to cover the truth that they simply didn’t manage their time well.

Whether it’s traffic, a last-minute text, or a sudden existential crisis at the coffee shop, there’s always something to explain the delay. And over time, these explanations start to feel like valid shields against accountability. What makes these excuses so effective is how relatable they sound. Most of us have experienced them occasionally, but for some, they become a script. The longer someone uses the same excuse, the more likely it is that the problem isn’t the circumstance, but rather the habit.

These are 11 excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility

1. “I lost track of time”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “I lost track of time” Marcus Lindstrom from Getty Images Signature via Canva

This one sounds harmless, and sometimes, it’s even true. But when it’s said often, it usually signals a lack of internal time awareness. People who use this excuse repeatedly may struggle with what researchers call time blindness, a concept often linked to ADHD or executive functioning challenges.

People with time blindness genuinely find it hard to estimate how long things take or monitor time as it passes. Still, awareness is the first step, and repeating this excuse over and over doesn’t help build it.

2. “Traffic was insane”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “Traffic was insane” Africa images via Canva

There’s always traffic somewhere, but for chronically late people, it’s an endless surprise. They rarely leave time for the unexpected and often act like Google Maps betrayed them personally.

People who are habitually late tend to plan based on ideal conditions rather than realistic estimates. If traffic is always the excuse, chances are it’s not the problem. The real issue is the lack of buffer time.

3. “Something came up”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “Something came up” sitthiphong via Canva

This vague statement is a masterclass in avoiding specifics and, therefore, avoiding responsibility. It suggests that the person was derailed by forces beyond their control, when in reality, it often means they didn’t prioritize what they committed to.

Chronic lateness is frequently tied to poor prioritization, where every small hiccup feels like a legitimate reason to change plans. Saying “something came up” is a way to sidestep scrutiny while keeping the story flexible.

4. “I didn’t realize what time it was”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “I didn’t realize what time it was” Minerva Studio via Canva

This excuse sounds innocent, but it usually reflects a deeper pattern of distraction. People who say this regularly tend to lose themselves in tasks, screens, or conversations without anchoring themselves to a clock.

Even minor attention diversions, like checking your phone, can skew your perception of time by more than 30%. But instead of adjusting their habits, late individuals often use this line to explain the gap.

5. “I had to help someone with something”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “I had to help someone with something” Jacob Varghese from baseimage via Canva

Helping others is admirable, but it can also be weaponized as a means to appear generous while avoiding blame. Researchers have found that chronic people-pleasers often suffer from time mismanagement as a result of unmet personal needs disguised as altruism.

This excuse reframes lateness as a selfless act, making it harder to challenge. However, consistently overcommitting to others at the expense of prior responsibilities reflects poor boundary management, not kindness.

6. “I thought I had more time”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “I thought I had more time” Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels via Canva

This one subtly implies that it was a close call and that they almost made it on time. But in reality, it points to poor time estimation, one of the most common traits of habitual lateness.

Studies have shown that people consistently underestimate how long routine tasks will take, especially when they're emotionally invested in something else. Saying "I thought I had more time" avoids the truth. They didn't check, didn't plan, or didn’t adjust when they should have.

7. “I was already on my way!”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “I was already on my way!” PeopleImages from Getty Images Signature via Canva

This excuse often comes as a text, usually when the person is still very much not on their way. It’s meant to buy time and create the illusion of effort. But it’s also a subtle manipulation, making it harder to express frustration because it sounds like they’re trying.

In communication studies, this kind of excuse is known as impression management, where someone attempts to control how others perceive their actions without actually changing their behavior.

8. “I just needed one more minute”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “I just needed one more minute” SrdjanPav from Getty Images Signature via Canva

Spoiler: it was never just one. This excuse tries to soften the lateness by minimizing it, but it often reveals a deeper tendency to overestimate what can be done in a short amount of time.

This is a classic example of what time management experts call task creep, where one small task leads to another, and time spirals without the person noticing. Just one more minute becomes ten, then fifteen, until it’s too late to recover.

9. “You know how I am”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “You know how I am” vkstudio via Canva

This line is part excuse, part identity claim. It frames lateness as a personality trait, not a choice, and subtly asks others to accommodate it.

But as psychologists have pointed out in studies on self-handicapping, labeling a bad habit as part of your nature makes it harder to change. It also puts the emotional burden on everyone else to adjust, rather than taking responsibility.

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10. “It’s not a big deal”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “It’s not a big deal” Prostock-Studio from Getty Images via Canva

This one flips the script, suggesting that the real problem is your reaction, not their lateness. It can feel dismissive or even gaslighting, especially if the delay caused you stress or inconvenience.

People who use this line often struggle to see how their actions affect others, which psychologists link to low levels of interpersonal accountability. They may care, but they really don’t like feeling guilty.

11. “At least I showed up”

excuses people who are always late use to avoid responsibility, “At least I showed up” TwilightEye from Getty Images via Canva

When all else fails, this is the final defense. It’s a way of reframing the issue so that presence, not punctuality, becomes the win. While it’s technically true, it overlooks the time and effort others invested in showing up on time.

It also sidesteps the actual problem: chronic lateness is less about whether someone cares enough to be there and more about whether they respect other people’s time as much as their own.

Sloane Bradshaw is a writer and essayist who frequently contributes to YourTango.