down to the wire

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth told his supporters the Welsh election was "going down to the wire".

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Even down to the wire, many people can still quickly gather the needed paperwork, Steber said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

‘Sinners’ or ‘One Battle After Another’? With plenty of categories coming down to the wire, our awards columnist makes his final Oscar predictions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Arsenal answered questions posed about their nerve under pressure in the most emphatic fashion in the north London derby to suggest this is a Premier League race that will go down to the wire.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

We hated games that went down to the wire.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli