It's getting late means that the day is coming to an end and it is becoming late, usually in the evening. People say it when it is time to leave, finish what they are doing or go to bed.
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it + is/was getting late; it's getting late, so + clause; same model: it's getting dark/cold
- It's getting late, so I'd better go; thanks for a lovely dinner.
- By the time we finished the project, it was getting late and the office was empty.
- It was getting late, but the kids still didn't want to leave the beach.
What changed
First versionIs getting late, so let's finish the meeting here.
RevisionIt's getting late, so let's finish the meeting here.
An English sentence always needs a subject, even when no one is doing anything. For time and weather, that subject is an empty it, as in It's cold or It's raining. The correction adds it.
Do not confuse it with be late, meaning to arrive after the expected time: I'm late for work. It's getting late is about the time of day, not about you being late. And late is not the same as lately: lately means “recently”: I've been very busy lately.
Your turn
Let's call a taxi: it's getting ___ and the last bus left an hour ago.
Show the answer
late — Late describes the time: it's getting late means the hour is becoming late. Lately means “recently”; it refers to a period, not to the time of day, and it does not fit after getting here.
You are visiting friends and it is time to leave. Say that it is getting late and explain why you need to go home.
It's getting late and I have an early flight tomorrow, so I need to go home now.
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