last minute

American  

[min-it] / ˈmɪn ɪt /

noun

1. the time just preceding a deadline or when some decisive action must be taken.

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last-minute British  

noun

1. (modifier) given or done at the latest possible time

   last-minute preparations

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Other Word Forms

• last-minute adjective

Etymology

Origin of last minute

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

A federal judge intervened at the last minute, pushing the deadline indefinitely.

From Salon

Those last minutes were their opportunity to overcome the elements, defeat a team that deserved their lead and steal a game that would have tasted sweet.

From BBC

Until the last minute, it was unclear whether the princesses would appear at Sandringham.

From BBC

Iran, however, asked at the last minute for the location of the meeting to be changed to Oman, which hosted discussions last year, and for it to be limited to Iranian and American officials.

From BBC

Maybe even then I knew that Olka’s and my days together would be numbered, and I wanted to slow time down, to draw out every last minute with her.

From Literature