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day before yesterday
/ˌdeɪ bɪˈfɔːr ˈjestərˌdeɪ/
the day preceding yesterday
I saw her the day before yesterday.
The speaker is referring to two days prior to today.
neutral
the day before the previous day; two days ago
She visited us the day before yesterday.
The visit occurred two days before the current day.
The package arrived the day before yesterday.
The delivery happened two days prior.
Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to specify a time two days in the past.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid ambiguity
Use 'the day before yesterday' instead of 'two days ago' when you need to be absolutely clear about the timing, as it leaves no room for interpretation.
Gold Rule
Temporal precision
This phrase specifies a fixed point in time (two days prior), unlike relative phrases such as 'a few days ago,' which are vague.
Word Origin
The phrase is a direct compound of 'day' + 'before' + 'yesterday', with 'yesterday' deriving from Old English 'geostran dæg' (yesterday's day). The structure reflects a straightforward temporal reference.
Usage Notes
This phrase is universally understood in English-speaking contexts and is more precise than alternatives like 'a couple of days ago' when exact timing is required.
Word Breakdown
day
a 24-hour period
nounbefore
earlier than
prepositionyesterday
the day before today
nounEnglish Dictionary