at the eleventh hour
The team finished the project at the eleventh hour, just before the deadline.
They completed the work just in time, right before it was too late.
at the very last moment before something becomes impossible or too late
The rescue team arrived at the eleventh hour to save the stranded hikers.
They arrived just in time to prevent disaster.
She submitted her application at the eleventh hour, minutes before the portal closed.
She barely made the deadline.
Often implies a sense of relief or narrow escape from failure.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal interpretation
This phrase does not refer to the actual 11th hour of the day. It is an idiom meaning 'at the very last moment.'
Gold Rule
Use for near-deadline scenarios
Reserve this idiom for situations where something is done just before a deadline or critical moment, not for general lateness.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from the Bible (Matthew 20:6-9), where workers hired at the eleventh hour (the last hour of a 12-hour workday) received the same pay as those who worked all day. It later evolved into a metaphor for doing something at the very last possible moment.
Usage Notes
This idiom is used to describe situations where action is taken just before it is too late, often with a sense of urgency or relief. It is common in both spoken and written English, particularly in narratives about deadlines or crises.