at the last minute

Idioms  

1. At the latest possible moment or opportunity. For example, Jim couldn't get a reservation because he had called at the last minute. Also see at the latest; eleventh hour.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at the last minute

While this year's primary results did provide bigger surprises, Young says that nominating contests have historically been volatile, with voters more likely to make up their minds at the last minute.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

But even that deal showed the strains of the current environment: Broadcom Chief Executive Hock Tan had to personally intervene in negotiations at the last minute to calm banks’ nerves.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2026

The interior minister defended the police by saying they had been under "so much pressure" after working for many hours non-stop and had been deployed to a new venue at the last minute.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

It seems like McKinley wants to deliver a crushing blow, but then feints at the last minute, opting for a more optimistic kind of fantasy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

“Even after we finally chose the cream, we’d be late, because at the last minute Grandma would panic and drive to Cousin Donna’s to borrow her cream shoes, which had a lower heel.”

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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