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at the last possible moment before something bad happens
The firefighters put out the fire in the nick of time.
The firefighters extinguished the fire just before it caused serious damage.
He finished his homework in the nick of time before the deadline.
He completed his homework just before the deadline.
Often used to emphasize that something happened at the very last moment.
Do not confuse this idiom with its literal meaning. It does not refer to a physical 'nick' or 'time' but to a critical moment.
This idiom is best used when something almost didn't happen but did, often with a sense of relief.
The phrase dates back to the early 17th century. 'Nick' in this context likely refers to a small notch or groove, possibly implying a critical point or moment. The exact origin is unclear, but it may relate to the idea of a precise or narrow moment.
This idiom is used in both spoken and written English, primarily in informal contexts. It conveys a sense of urgency and relief.