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

Mr. Carlson had become an embarrassing figure through the ample material that was produced in the defamation lawsuit Dominion Voting Systems brought against Fox, which settled last week at the eleventh hour for $787.5 million.

From New York Times

He and other opponents of the project acknowledged that the city’s hands are probably tied by the agreement, especially in this eleventh hour.

From Los Angeles Times

The deal could be announced as soon as this week, the sources said, cautioning that the talks could fall apart at the eleventh hour.

From Reuters

A spokesperson for the board said the supervisors characterized the prior board's actions as an "eleventh hour" act that effectively ties their hands and limits their ability to do their jobs.

From Reuters

Axel said prosecutors’ claim that racial bias concerns were raised at the eleventh hour was “patently false.”

From Los Angeles Times