Es tarde pero seguro y sin sueño

[Glen]

This was said by a person who arrived late to a meeting. Is it a widely-known saying?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

This seems to me an unexpected mixture of two sayings:

"Lento pero seguro", which means the person is slow for doing some things, but you can still count on them being done... someday. :rolleyes:

"Tarde, pero sin sueño" (should rather be "llegué tarde, pero sin sueño", but the verb is ellided), which is a cheeky way to say you're late to your appointment, but at least you won't fall asleep. Mostly said on morning appointments or meetings, when it's assumed you're late because you overslept.

Mexicans use both sayings quite often, but not the mixture.

[Glen]

Thanks for the quick reply Angélica, and for the good explanation. Is it something like "Nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena", which I have used myself? And what might be some other clever ones in addition?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

"Nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena" has an unrelated meaning. It's saying that something was always worth waiting to happen if it's good for you, makes you happy or it's satisfying.

"Más vale tarde que nunca" is related to this one in the sense that the things you expect to happen will be alright even if they take long to arrive.

[Don José]

"Tarde, pero sin sueño": I never heard it.
"Lento pero seguro": I think it could be used some times.

The last ones that Angelica wrote are also often used in Spain.