down to the wire

Idioms

To the last minute; to the very end. For example, We're just about down to the wire with this project. This term comes from horseracing, where it was long the practice to stretch a wire across and above the track at the finish line. It was extended to figurative use about 1900.

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.

Talks went down to the wire on Monday, focusing on a few sticking points, including the impact of the EU's carbon border tax on steel, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

I think it'll be close and could go down to the wire.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

Everyone, me included, thought this would be a hard-fought series that would go down to the wire.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

This showdown comes down to the wire and Carolina wins with a field goal to clinch the NFC South title.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2026

We went over to my hootch, picked up our gear, and then moved through the night down to the wire.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

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