eleventh hour

American  

noun

1. the last possible moment for doing something.

   to change plans at the eleventh hour.

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eleventh hour British  

noun

1. 1. the latest possible time; last minute

   2. ( as modifier )

      an eleventh-hour decision

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eleventh hour Cultural  

1. The last minute: “The water bombers arrived at the eleventh hour — just in time to prevent the forest fire from engulfing the town.”

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eleventh hour Idioms  

1. The latest possible time, as in We turned in our report at the eleventh hour. This term is thought to allude to the parable of the laborers (Matthew 20:1–16), in which those workers hired at the eleventh hour of a twelve-hour working day were paid the same amount as those who began in the first hour. [Early 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of eleventh hour

First recorded in 1820–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eleventh hour

But after a backlash from campaigners, survivors and bereaved families, the amendments were pulled at the eleventh hour.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

But talks stalled at the eleventh hour, with negotiations crumbling partly due to America’s nicknamed “Star Wars” program, the space-based missile defense system that America was trying to develop to prevent a nuclear attack.

From Slate ● Feb. 2, 2026

"My mum cancelled making Nicola’s dress in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress."

From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026

“It’s so much better to get people out during an event for safety reasons, than to — at the eleventh hour — try to get people out,” Suen said in an interview with The Times.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 19, 2025

Then he said quietly: ‘Up to the last moment—up to the eleventh hour, we will beg the Governor’s permission for the ships’ return to London with their cargo.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

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