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Top 100 Most Common Excuses for Being Late

Sunday, October 25, 2026

A past Centumth puzzle. Play it on this page with five guesses, or read the full Top 100 ranking below.

“I’m on my way” usually means “I’m still getting ready.” These are the excuses people give when they’re running late, based on survey responses. From traffic and missed alarms to the wonderfully creative explanations people swear are true.

This list was researched and ranked by hand for Centumth. Entries near #1 are the names almost everyone thinks of first. Entries near #100 are true, a little obscure, and still fair if you think sideways. Sources below are the starting point — the final order can include small editorial calls so the daily puzzle stays balanced.

You can play this archive puzzle with five guesses, or reveal the complete ranking if you came here looking for the list. Revealing locks this puzzle — you won’t be able to play it afterward.

Sources

Outbound sources help you verify the ranking. The published order is Centumth’s.

The full Top 100

  1. #1Traffic
  2. #2Overslept
  3. #3Bad weather
  4. #4Lost track of time
  5. #5Car wouldn't start
  6. #6Public transport
  7. #7School run
  8. #8Feeling sick
  9. #9Family emergency
  10. #10Couldn't find my keys
  11. #11Couldn't find parking
  12. #12Nothing to wear
  13. #13On the phone
  14. #14Held up at work
  15. #15Accident
  16. #16Roadworks
  17. #17Missed the train
  18. #18Train cancelled
  19. #19Ran out of petrol
  20. #20Flat tyre
  21. #21Couldn't find my phone
  22. #22Couldn't find my wallet
  23. #23Kids wouldn't get ready
  24. #24Kids were sick
  25. #25Dog needed a walk
  26. #26Partner in the bathroom
  27. #27Hangover
  28. #28Doctor's appointment
  29. #29Went back for something
  30. #30Got lost
  31. #31Sat nav
  32. #32Spilled coffee on myself
  33. #33Shower took too long
  34. #34Makeup
  35. #35Hair
  36. #36Couldn't find my shoes
  37. #37Power cut
  38. #38No hot water
  39. #39Burst pipe
  40. #40Waiting for a delivery
  41. #41Childcare fell through
  42. #42Uber was late
  43. #43Taxi didn't show
  44. #44Got pulled over
  45. #45Helping a neighbour
  46. #46Had an argument
  47. #47Scrolling on my phone
  48. #48Coffee shop queue
  49. #49Needed the loo
  50. #50Dog got out
  51. #51Cat got out
  52. #52Flat battery
  53. #53Car broke down
  54. #54Lift was broken
  55. #55Security took ages
  56. #56Printer jammed
  57. #57Meeting ran over
  58. #58Call ran over
  59. #59Forgot my pass
  60. #60Forgot my laptop
  61. #61Forgot my bag
  62. #62Fog
  63. #63Road closed
  64. #64Wrong turn
  65. #65Forgot the address
  66. #66Forgot the kids' bag
  67. #67Nanny was late
  68. #68Waiting for the plumber
  69. #69Pharmacy
  70. #70Bank queue
  71. #71Post office
  72. #72Flatmate in the shower
  73. #73Ironing
  74. #74Toilet overflowed
  75. #75Had to walk
  76. #76Bike puncture
  77. #77Bus didn't turn up
  78. #78Missed the bus
  79. #79Couldn't get on the train
  80. #80Diverted
  81. #81Traffic lights stuck
  82. #82Dentist ran over
  83. #83Dog to the vet
  84. #84Phone died
  85. #85Kids' breakfast
  86. #86School gate queue
  87. #87Couldn't get the kids in the car
  88. #88Someone at the door
  89. #89Amazon driver
  90. #90Mother-in-law wouldn't stop talking
  91. #91Thought it was a bank holiday
  92. #92Pizza delivery
  93. #93Kids changed the clocks
  94. #94Stopped to watch the sunrise
  95. #95Goldfish to the vet
  96. #96Hide and seek with the neighbour
  97. #97Knocked myself out in the shower
  98. #98A deer in the road
  99. #99Bus drove through a puddle
  100. #100Forgot it wasn't the weekend

The full ranked list is included on this page. Use Reveal full 100 list to read it, or play the game above.