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• last minute
  last minute

  noun

  the time just preceding a deadline or when some decisive action must be taken.
• last-minute
  last-minute

  noun

  (modifier) given or done at the latest possible time

last minute

American  

[min-it] / ˈmɪn ɪt /

noun

• last minutes
  plural

1. the time just preceding a deadline or when some decisive action must be taken.

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last-minute British  

noun

1. (modifier) given or done at the latest possible time

   last-minute preparations

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• last-minute
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• last minutes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of last minute

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

last minute last-minute

"It is common in capital cases for the defence to raise last minute objections following decades of litigation in numerous courts. We are asking the Supreme Court of the United States to lift the stay."

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

In August, Stewart had to abruptly cancel a Cincinnati show at the last minute for a “minor medical procedure.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

“I’ve been involved in many tight races in the past and understand last minute ‘needs’ come up,” he continued.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

The people said Xi withdrew at the last minute from the gala held last Saturday in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Brics summit, a gathering of emerging-market nations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

“No. He doesn’t. I changed the portal location at the last minute to hide our whereabouts.”

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

But such a last-minute stay of execution brings its own challenges for those to whom they are granted.

From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026

Perhaps Robinson's greatest Whitley Bay moment came in the 2010 FA Vase semi-final second leg, when his last-minute diving header in the driving rain secured a 6-5 aggregate victory over Barwell, sparking a pitch invasion.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

The procession had survived a series of last-minute legal challenges.

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

It’s a luxury hotel, expensive meals and a last-minute upgrade because, “why not?”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

We have tons of last-minute stuff to do for set crew.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy