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English Idioms about "Time"

Eleventh hour

English Idiom

Meaning: The phrase is used to describe something that happens at the last possible moment before a deadline or before something significant occurs. It's often associated with urgency and last-minute efforts.
Origin: The idiom 'Eleventh hour' originates from the Bible, specifically the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard found in the book of Matthew. The parable describes laborers hired at the eleventh hour of a twelve-hour workday who receive the same payment as those hired earlier, emphasizing that it's never too late to make a significant impact.
Young couple running through a city street at dusk with a historic clock tower in the background
OpenAI's DALL-E generated image

Examples

  • Despite the looming deadline, she managed to submit her assignment at the eleventh hour.
  • The peace treaty was signed at the eleventh hour, preventing a potentially catastrophic conflict.
  • He always leaves his tax filings until the eleventh hour, causing unnecessary stress.
  • The team pulled together an impressive presentation at the eleventh hour, securing the client's approval.
  • She found a brilliant solution to the problem at the eleventh hour, saving the project from failure.
  • At the eleventh hour, the airline announced a flight cancellation due to mechanical issues.
  • The company’s new product was finalized at the eleventh hour before the big launch event.
  • He finally confessed his feelings for her at the eleventh hour, just before she moved away.
  • The city council passed the new legislation at the eleventh hour before the deadline.
  • Her scholarship application was completed and submitted at the eleventh hour, just in time.