PhrasesHub

Just in time

    Definitions

      • at the last possible moment
        To describe something that happens or is done at the last moment before it is too late

      • narrowly avoiding a negative outcome
        To indicate that something happened or was completed just before a deadline or before a potentially bad situation occurred

    Examples of Just in time

    • The package arrived just in time for the big presentation.

      This idiom is used when something arrives or happens at the exact right moment, especially when it is necessary or important. Here, the speaker is referring to a delivery that arrived at the necessary time for a presentation, implying that the delivery was timely and helpful for the presentation.

    • We found a solution just in time to prevent the crisis.

      This idiom is used when a problem is solved at the right time to avoid negative consequences. The speaker is highlighting that they found a solution at the exact right moment to prevent a crisis.

    • Our team finished the project just in time to meet the deadline.

      This idiom is used when something is completed exactly when it is needed, such as meeting a deadline. Here, the speaker is emphasizing that their team finished the project at the exact right time to meet the given deadline.

    • We caught the train just in time before it departed.

      This idiom is used when someone just manages to make it to a train or a similar form of transportation just before it departs. Here, the speaker is explaining that they had just enough time to catch the train before it left the station.

    • The delivery truck arrived just in time to prevent the store from running out of stock.

      This is an example of using "just in time" in a sentence to describe a situation where something happens at the exact right moment, preventing an undesirable outcome. In this case, the store was running low on inventory, but the delivery truck arrived at the last possible moment, saving the store from running out of stock.

    • She finished her presentation just in time to catch her flight.

      This example illustrates how "just in time" can be used to describe a situation where something happens right before another event. Here, the speaker's presentation ended at the exact moment she needed to leave for her flight, allowing her to catch it without missing it.

    • I fixed the broken appliance just in time for the party.

      In this example, "just in time" is used to describe a situation where something is fixed or completed right before it is needed. Here, the speaker fixed a broken appliance right before the party, ensuring it would be working properly for the event.

    • The teenager arrived just in time to save his little brother from getting hit by a car.

      This is a creative use of "just in time" to describe a dramatic and life-saving situation. In this example, the teenager arrived at the exact moment his little brother was in danger, preventing a tragic outcome.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "just in time" can be used to indicate that something was done or happened at the last possible moment, often narrowly avoiding a negative outcome. It is commonly used to describe situations where timing played a crucial role in the outcome, emphasizing the narrow margin by which something was achieved or completed.

    Origin of "Just in time"

    The origin of the idiom "just in time" can be traced back to the early 20th century, with its usage becoming more widespread in the mid-20th century. The phrase is often associated with the concept of "just-in-time" manufacturing, which emphasizes efficiency and minimizing waste by delivering parts and materials to a production line exactly when they are needed. This concept has been adapted into various industries and has influenced the use of the idiom to describe narrowly avoiding a negative outcome by acting or arriving at the last possible moment.

    One of the earliest documented uses of the phrase can be found in literature from the early 1900s, where it was used to describe something that happened at the last moment before a negative outcome. Over time, the idiom has become a common expression in the English language, used in various contexts to convey the idea of something happening or being completed just before it is too late.