down to the wire

1. 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

As with almost the entire cast, Nayef was a first-time actor, and Hadi was admittedly nervous as they were coming down to the wire in casting the role.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I'm hoping all of the Tests are hard fought, going down to the wire, and Australia will just get across the line in every game."

Read more on BBC

Belgium missed the chance to seal their place at the 2026 World Cup after being held to a 1-1 draw in Kazakhstan on Saturday, sending their qualification hopes down to the wire.

Read more on Barron's

Merck has unveiled a $9.2 billion deal to buy Cidara Therapeutics after outspending rivals in a bidding battle that went down to the wire, according to the Financial Times.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And with Borthwick stacking his bench this weekend, keen to rectify the problems of a year ago, both head coaches are planning for it to go down to the wire at the Allianz Stadium.

Read more on BBC