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the eleventh hour
01
at the last moment that it is still possible to do something
IdiomWhat is the origin of the idiom "the eleventh hour" and when to use it?
The idiom "the eleventh hour" has its origins in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament. It is mentioned in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard found in the Gospel of Matthew. In this parable, a landowner hires workers at different times throughout the day, with some starting early in the morning and others being hired as late as the eleventh hour (or the last hour of the workday). When the workers are paid, those who were hired last receive the same payment as those who worked the full day. It often comes up when referring to deadlines, critical decisions, or moments of crisis.
Example
He completed the assignment at the eleventh hour, just before the submission deadline.
The eleventh hour is often used to describe a last-minute decision or action.
He would have missed the train if he hadn't arrived at the station in the eleventh hour.
The team is working frantically in the eleventh hour to meet the project deadline.
We are in the eleventh hour of negotiations, and a resolution must be reached soon.
