If you’ve worked in corporate settings or professional communication, you’ve likely encountered the acronym COB. Short, crisp, and commonly seen in emails, it serves a practical purpose—but it can also feel rigid or impersonal.
So, what does it really mean, and how can we diversify the way we use it?
In this article, we’ll define COB, break down its emotional and contextual tone, and then explore 30 alternative phrases—each with clear examples and guidance on when to use them to match tone, clarity, and culture.
What Does COB Stand For?
COB means Close of Business.
It’s typically used to indicate a deadline or time expectation, especially in office communication:
“Please send the report by COB Friday.”
While COB is efficient, it can also come off as cold, especially in cross-cultural communication or creative industries.
That’s why it’s helpful to have a toolkit of alternatives—some friendlier, some more formal, and others suited for global teams.
30 Alternatives to “COB” (Close of Business)
Let’s break them down into categories for easier use.
✅ Direct Time-Based Alternatives
- By 5 PM
Please submit your feedback by 5 PM.
Use when: You need clarity with a specific time. - End of the workday
Let’s wrap this up by the end of the workday.
Use when: Slightly softer than “COB,” but still clear. - Today by EOD
(EOD = End of Day)
Kindly send the file by EOD today.
Use when: You’re working with a global or tech-savvy audience. - Before close of play
I’ll get it done before close of play.
Use when: Common in UK or sports-influenced teams. - Before the day ends
I’ll update the doc before the day ends.
Use when: Informal or internal team-friendly.
🕰️ Flexible or Time-Range Alternatives
- By the end of business hours
Please reach out by the end of business hours.
Use when: Professional tone with global clarity. - Any time before 6 PM
You can call me any time before 6 PM.
Use when: You want to offer a range or show flexibility. - By the close of the working day
Let’s finalize the agreement by the close of the working day.
Use when: Formal, more traditional. - Later today
I’ll respond later today.
Use when: Casual follow-up without hard deadline. - By this evening
We should review it by this evening.
Use when: Soft, human tone for smaller asks.
📅 Deadline-Emphasizing Alternatives
- By deadline
Please complete the edits by deadline.
Use when: Professional and structured work. - No later than today
Submit the form no later than today.
Use when: Clear urgency without sounding too harsh. - By close of shift
Can we finish inventory by close of shift?
Use when: Retail, manufacturing, or shift-based work. - By end of business
Expect the signed doc by end of business.
Use when: Formal and interchangeable with COB. - Within business hours
Let’s connect within business hours.
Use when: Planning calls or meetings.
✉️ Email-Friendly Alternatives
- Before signing off for the day
I’ll get that to you before signing off for the day.
Use when: Personal and email-friendly. - Before I log off
Sending this now before I log off.
Use when: Friendly, modern work-from-home context. - Before we wrap up
Let’s review it before we wrap up.
Use when: Great for meetings or informal messages. - By close
Kindly confirm by close.
Use when: Short, professional, yet human. - By end of today
Let me know by end of today.
Use when: Flexible, modern writing.
🌍 Culturally-Aware or Global Alternatives
- By your end of day
Can you reply by your end of day?
Use when: Communicating across time zones. - By local business hours
Please confirm during your local business hours.
Use when: Showing empathy for global teams. - Before your day ends
Check in with me before your day ends.
Use when: Friendly, timezone-aware tone. - Before your evening
Ping me before your evening if possible.
Use when: Collaborative, remote-friendly phrasing. - When your day wraps up
Just update me when your day wraps up.
Use when: Relaxed and people-centric.
💬 Casual and Conversational Options
- By today
I’ll finish that by today.
Use when: General tone, everyday language. - Before the end of the day
Let’s finalize it before the end of the day.
Use when: Friendly and clear. - By tonight
Expect my input by tonight.
Use when: After-hours flexibility. - Later this afternoon
I’ll follow up later this afternoon.
Use when: Helpful for planning time blocks. - Before day’s end
I’ll handle that before day’s end.
Use when: Poetic, soft phrasing.
How to Choose the Right Alternative
✨ Tone
- Formal: End of business, By deadline, Close of shift
- Casual: Before I log off, Later today, By tonight
- Friendly/Modern: When your day wraps up, Your EOD, Before signing off
🌍 Global Use
- Use timezone-aware phrases like “your EOD” or “before your evening” when working remotely or across regions.
🕓 Clarity vs. Flexibility
- Need hard deadlines? Go with: “No later than today” or “By 5 PM.”
- Want soft deadlines? Try: “Before day’s end” or “Later this afternoon.”
Conclusion: Moving Beyond COB with Clarity and Care
While COB is efficient and clear, using a variety of alternatives can help make your communication warmer, clearer, and more adaptable.
Whether you’re managing deadlines, collaborating across time zones, or simply trying to sound more human in your emails, these 30 alternatives offer plenty of options.
