at the last minute

Idioms and Phrases

At the latest possible moment or opportunity. For example, Jim couldn't get a reservation because he had called at the last minute . Also see at the latest ; eleventh hour .

Example Sentences

The procedure would have been highly illegal and dangerous if Holt had followed through with it, but at the last minute, she refused.

From Salon

Defence lawyers said she suffered a mental breakdown and wanted to die with her children but left the car at the last minute.

From BBC

He was set to be the first person in the US to be executed for a murder related to "shaken baby syndrome", but legal challenges, prompted by some public outcry, paused the execution at the last minute last month.

From BBC

He switched venues at the last minute to throw press off the scent, and confiscated the recordings.

From BBC

Allegheny County, which contains Pittsburgh, historically counts faster than Philadelphia—though Philadelphia has, at the last minute, decided to add faster ballot-counting machines to its fleet.

From Slate