At the 11th Hour

Definitions

at the last possible moment
To describe something that happens or is done at the last moment before it is too late
almost too late
To emphasize that something happened or was completed just in time, but very close to the deadline

Examples of At the 11th Hour

The student studied tirelessly for the exam, but decided to cram at the 11th hour, resulting in a modest passing grade.

This idiom is used to describe someone who starts studying or working on a task at the last possible moment, just before it is due or needed. It implies that the individual was likely in a state of panic or urgency, and may not have had enough time to fully understand or prepare for the task. The phrase "at the 11th hour" is taken from biblical tradition, where Jesus was crucified at the 11th hour (or 3 o'clock in the afternoon) on the cross, leading to the phrase "at the last minute" in modern usage.
Although the sales team had been failing to meet their targets for months, they managed to close a major deal at the 11th hour, saving the company from financial ruin.

This idiom is used to describe a situation where a positive outcome is achieved at the very last moment, just before it is too late. It implies that the individual or team was likely facing a significant challenge or obstacle, but was able to overcome it through hard work, persistence, or good fortune. The phrase "at the 11th hour" is taken from biblical tradition, where Jesus was crucified at the 11th hour (or 3 o'clock in the afternoon) on the cross, leading to the phrase "at the last minute" in modern usage.
The politician's campaign was faltering, but they received a major endorsement from a popular figure at the 11th hour, giving their chances of winning a significant boost.

This idiom is used to describe a situation where a positive influence or event occurs at the very last moment, just before it is too late. It implies that the individual or team was likely facing a significant challenge or obstacle, but was able to receive help or support when they needed it most. The phrase "at the 11th hour" is taken from biblical tradition, where Jesus was crucified at the 11th hour (or 3 o'clock in the afternoon) on the cross, leading to the phrase "at the last minute" in modern usage.
The chef spent hours creating the perfect meal, but forgot to add salt at the 11th hour, ruining the dish for the guests.

This idiom is used to describe a situation where a critical error or oversight occurs at the very last moment, just before it is meant to be served, presented, or submitted. It implies that the individual or team was likely working diligently and carefully, but overlooked a crucial step, ingredient, or detail at the last minute. The phrase "at the 11th hour" is taken from biblical tradition, where Jesus was crucified at the 11th hour (or 3 o'clock in the afternoon) on the cross, leading to the phrase "at the last minute" in modern usage.
The student had been procrastinating on her paper for weeks, but at the 11th hour, she locked herself in the library and worked tirelessly until the last minute to finish it.

This example shows the idiom "at the 11th hour" being used to describe a situation where someone waits until the very last minute to complete an important task. The phrase "at the 11th hour" refers to the biblical story of Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus at midnight, which is the 11th hour on the clock. It's an expression that highlights the notion of delay or postponement, which eventually leads to a frenzied rush to finish a task before the deadline.
The construction company had promised to complete the project by the end of the year, but due to unforeseen circumstances, they were still working on it at the 11th hour.

In this example, "at the 11th hour" is used to describe a situation where something is completed or finished very close to the deadline. It's a term that suggests a sense of urgency and urgency, which indicates that a project or task may not be completed on time due to unforeseen circumstances or problems that arise during the final stages.
The campaign team was in despair as the exit polls showed their candidate trailing by a wide margin, but at the 11th hour, a sudden surge of support led to a surprise victory.

This example illustrates the use of "at the 11th hour" to describe a sudden and unexpected change in the course of events, which leads to a positive outcome. It's an expression that highlights the value of perseverance, determination, and last-minute efforts, which can make all the difference in the world.
After months of negotiation, the two parties were still unable to come to an agreement, but at the 11th hour, they reached a surprising compromise that satisfied both sides.

This example demonstrates the use of "at the 11th hour" to portray a situation where there seems to be no hope of resolution, but ultimately, a breakthrough is made at the last minute. It's an expression that indicates a point of great tension, which is eventually resolved through late-stage negotiations or concessions.

Conclusion

"At the 11th Hour" is used to convey the idea of something happening or being done at the very last moment, often with a sense of urgency or near-miss. It can be used to describe actions, decisions, or events that occur just before a deadline or cutoff point, highlighting the narrow margin of time.

This idiom is often used in both literal and figurative contexts, emphasizing the sense of urgency and the narrow window of opportunity. It can be a way to express relief that something was completed just in time, but it can also imply a sense of irresponsibility or lack of prior planning.

Origin of "At the 11th Hour"

The origin of the idiom "At the 11th Hour" can be traced back to the Bible, specifically the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, there is a parable known as the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. In this parable, a landowner hires laborers to work in his vineyard at various times throughout the day. When the workday is over, the landowner pays the workers, beginning with those who were hired last and ending with those who were hired first. The workers who were hired at the eleventh hour, just before the end of the workday, receive the same payment as those who worked the entire day.

This biblical reference to the eleventh hour as a significant moment of decision or action likely influenced the idiomatic use of the phrase to signify the last possible moment. Over time, the idiom "At the 11th Hour" has become a common expression in English to convey the idea of something happening or being done at the very last moment.