COB

What it means

COB stands for 'close of business' — the end of the standard working day, much like EOD. It carries a slightly more formal, corporate tone and is common in finance and consulting. Some companies treat COB as the local 5 p.m. of the head office.

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Examples

• Please submit your timesheet by COB today.
• We'll have an answer for you by COB Wednesday.
• The contract needs signatures before COB.
• Everything has to be reconciled by COB on the last day of the month.

Where it comes from

A business initialism, closely related to COP ('close of play,' more common in British English). Both borrow the idea of a clear daily finish line.

Related abbreviations