down to the wire

Idioms and Phrases

To the last minute; to the very end. For example, We're just about down to the wire with this project . This term comes from horseracing, where it was long the practice to stretch a wire across and above the track at the finish line. It was extended to figurative use about 1900.

Example Sentences

Michelle O. swung through Orlando Monday in a down-to-the-wire speech to rally votes for her husband.

From The Daily Beast