- The very last moment possible before a deadline or event; just in time.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard in the Bible (Matthew 20:1-16).
- Workers hired at the eleventh hour (late in the day, near sunset) were paid the same as those who worked all day.
- It signifies the last possible time to act before something concludes.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Right at the buzzer. (From basketball, scoring just as time expires)
- Clutch. (Performing well under pressure at the last moment, often used admiringly)
- Skin of your teeth. (Managing to do something by the narrowest margin)
Milder/Standard:
- Just before the deadline.
- At the very end.
- With moments to spare.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most contexts, including formal news reporting and business discussions, as well as informal storytelling.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- While often understood, some learners might take eleventh hour literally as 11:00 AM/PM.
- Emphasize it means the very last moment, regardless of the actual clock time.
Examples
- They reached an agreement at the eleventh hour, avoiding a strike.
- He submitted his application at the eleventh hour.
- She always finishes her projects at the eleventh hour.
Dialogue
Reporter: Was the deal always going to happen?
Spokesperson: Negotiations went down to the wire, but we secured the agreement at the eleventh hour.
Reporter: A relief for everyone involved, I imagine.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Submitted my final paper at 11:58 PM for the midnight deadline. Talk about an eleventh hour submission! 😅 #GradSchool #Deadline
- News Headline: Budget Deal Reached at Eleventh Hour
- Facebook post: Managed to buy the concert tickets literally at the eleventh hour before they sold out! So excited! #LastMinuteWin
Response Patterns
- Wow, that was close!
- Cutting it a bit fine, weren't they? (UK/Aus)
- Typical! (If the person/group often does this)
- Better late than never, I guess.
- That must have been stressful.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After expressing surprise (Wow, that was close!):
- Might lead to asking for more details about the dramatic finish. What happened? How did they manage it?
After noting it's typical (Typical!):
- Might lead to a shared anecdote or comment about the person's habits. Yeah, remember that time with the report...
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to describe the timing of an event, usually in recounting a story or situation.
Intonation
- Stress on ELEVENTH and HOUR.
- Often conveys a sense of urgency, drama, or relief.
- They finished it at the ELEVENTH HOUR.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood, perhaps slightly more common among older generations due to the biblical origin, but still frequently used by younger people.
Regional Variations
- Common across all major English-speaking regions.