Wiktionary
prep.phr. (context idiomatic English) Too late; after something is finished or final.
Wikipedia
After the Fact is the first compilation album released by English post-punk band Magazine. It was released as a vinyl LP in 1982, following the dissolution of the band in late 1981. The compilation drew from tracks from each of the band's studio albums and several singles. A CD edition was released in 1989. The artwork was created by Malcolm Garrett with liner notes by Paul Morley.
International and US editions of the compilation differed greatly, sharing only four songs between them. The Virgin Records international edition (including Portugal) had 10 tracks, was released in a green sleeve and included only material from the group's four studio albums. No B-sides or single mixes were featured. The I.R.S. Records US edition had 13 tracks and was released in a red sleeve. This version included songs that hadn't previously been released in the US, the majority of which were B-sides and alternate single mixes. The US edition was released on CD in 1989, and is at present the only Magazine CD compilation to feature the 7" edit of the 1981 single "About the Weather".
After the fact is an idiom meaning too late, or after something is finished
It may also refer to:
- After the Fact (album) 1982 album by the band Magazine
- Ex post facto law, a law that retroactively changes the legal consequences of an action
Usage examples of "after the fact".
He and his crew had accepted from the beginning that the screen would figure out where the missiles had come from after the fact, and they'd never had any hope of outrunning the apostate's retribution.
I misdoubt that that king's penitence after the fact made the swords of his knights hurt any the less.
I'll have to apologize to Grodeg, of course, but it will be after the fact.
Perhaps the little man dabbled in bribery, perhaps he knew the right strings to pull but could scarcely disclose them after the fact.
They are interpretative and inductive operations, operations after the fact, consequent upon religious feeling, not coö.
I looked in the rearview mirror after the fact, relieved to find there were no cars behind me.