When someone says "submit by (any date)," what do they mean? on that day or anytime before that day?

they mean it can be submitted on that day or any time before that day|||Hmmm.... it can mean either "on or before a certain date" OR it can mean, in date of sequence, like if there is a list of papers to give to someone, they want it in order of dates, not just handed to them all scrambled. Not sure if this is what you mean...|||dat dat meant a deadline. dont wait ffor the deadliest deadline. submit before hand. ulll get enough credits.|||Any day up to that date and no later.|||Get it in before that date.|||On that day at whatever time (normally during the day though). Have fun =)|||WTF|||That day by 5:00 p.m.|||just do it a day before