Synonyms

at the last minute

Idioms

At the latest possible moment or opportunity. For example, Jim couldn't get a reservation because he had called at the last minute. Also see at the latest; eleventh hour.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Iran is in the middle of an extended weekend, with the authorities declaring Wednesday a bank holiday at the last minute, citing the need to save energy during the cold weather.

From Barron's

“You cannot whip this together at the last minute. It’s just not going to happen,” Hall said.

From MarketWatch

“I was in Lake Como on a sisters’ trip when I got an invite at the last minute and decided to go on a whim, and Andrea was tired.

From MarketWatch

He said this year's Christmas Eve would be the busiest, with workers saving on annual leave days and heading off on getaways at the last minute.

From BBC

A scheduled talk fell through when the White House at the last minute realized it hadn’t arranged a translator.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023