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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

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

• last-minute
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of last minute

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Raman, who had endorsed Bass’ reelection before throwing her hat in at the last minute, came off as inexperienced, touchy and unprepared.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Another person said she was able to book a flight last minute through Spirit to attend her grandfather’s funeral.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

The new plan would make it easier for them to trim their schedules in advance, rather than being forced to cancel flights at the last minute.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

As AI pioneer and Anthropic CEO Dario Amedei recently wrote: “When put in the darkest circumstances, humanity has a way of gathering, seemingly at the last minute, the strength and wisdom needed to prevail.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

I’d make up a reason why I couldn’t go or cancel at the last minute saying I was sick...but not Nadine.

From "Watch Us Rise" by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan