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the day before yesterday
/ðə deɪ bɪˈfɔːr ˈjɛstərˌdeɪ/
two days ago
I met her the day before yesterday.
The meeting happened two days ago.
formal
The day that immediately preceded yesterday.
She arrived the day before yesterday.
She came two days ago.
The event was held the day before yesterday.
The event took place two days prior.
Commonly used in both spoken and written English to refer to a specific day in the past.
Collocations
the day before yesterday morning/afternoon/eveningthe morning/afternoon/evening of two days ago
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Memory Aid
Think of 'the day before yesterday' as 'two days ago' to simplify understanding. For example, if today is Monday, the day before yesterday was Saturday.
Gold Rule
Time Reference Clarity
Always use 'the day before yesterday' to refer to the exact day two days prior to today. Avoid using it for other time frames.
Word Origin
The phrase is a compound formed by combining 'the day' (referring to a 24-hour period) with 'before yesterday' (indicating the day prior to yesterday). The structure follows a logical progression of time references in English.
Usage Notes
This phrase is straightforward and literal, with no idiomatic or metaphorical meaning. It is used in both formal and informal contexts to specify a precise timeframe.
Word Breakdown
the day
a 24-hour period
noun phrasebefore yesterday
the day prior to yesterday
adverbial phraseEnglish Dictionary