eleventh hour

American  

noun

1. the last possible moment for doing something.

   to change plans at the eleventh hour.

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eleventh hour British  

noun

1. 1. the latest possible time; last minute

   2. ( as modifier )

      an eleventh-hour decision

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eleventh hour Cultural  

1. The last minute: “The water bombers arrived at the eleventh hour — just in time to prevent the forest fire from engulfing the town.”

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eleventh hour Idioms  

1. The latest possible time, as in We turned in our report at the eleventh hour. This term is thought to allude to the parable of the laborers (Matthew 20:1–16), in which those workers hired at the eleventh hour of a twelve-hour working day were paid the same amount as those who began in the first hour. [Early 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of eleventh hour

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

With the ceasefire due to expire earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension at the eleventh hour, to allow more time for peace talks brokered by Pakistan.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

In 2024, California considered doing away with service charges as part of legislation banning “hidden” or “junk” fees but walked back the proposal at the eleventh hour.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

But talks stalled at the eleventh hour, with negotiations crumbling partly due to America’s nicknamed “Star Wars” program, the space-based missile defense system that America was trying to develop to prevent a nuclear attack.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

The surprising announcement came at the eleventh hour of his presidency and sparked celebration among the amendment's backers.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2025

On November 11 at eleven a.m.—the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month—the guns fell silent on the Western Front.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman