under the wire

Cultural  

1. Just in time: “Nancy mailed off her application, and it got in just under the wire.” From horse racing, in which the wire marks the finish line.

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under the wire Idioms  

1. Barely, scarcely, just within the limit, as in This book will be finished just under the wire. This term comes from horse racing, where the wire marks the finish line. [First half of 1900s] Also see down to the wire.

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Example Sentences

This passes, just under the wire, as humor because of the rhyme.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Another combo that I want to sneak in under the wire: Mexican Hot Chocolate Chip Cookies with dulce de leche ice cream.

From Washington Times • Aug. 7, 2023

“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” were highly anticipated films that benefited from publicity campaigns that squeaked under the wire of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Eeli Tolvanen completed the accuracy shooting challenge just under the wire, knocking down his last target as time ran out.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2023

Seabiscuit crossed under the wire, finishing second by slightly more than two lengths.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand