at the death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the death" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a specific event or situation that occurs at the end or conclusion of something, usually with a final or decisive outcome. This phrase is commonly used in sports, particularly in the context of a close competition or match. Example: The two teams were tied in the final seconds of the game, but the home team scored a last-minute goal at the death to secure the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

South Africa won at the death at Ellis Park?

Independent

Arsenal were literally stronger at the death.

The Guardian - Sport

Zaheer is a master at the death.

The Guardian - Sport

(Cigarettes hint at the death instinct, however).

The New York Times - Magazine

Harbhajan Singh comes out at the death.

The Guardian - Sport

My death occurs at the death of my body.

Yale University

90 min +2: Fleetwood nearly win it at the death!

The Guardian - Sport

The Maratha kingdom at the death of Shivaji (1680).

Britannica

A new way of looking at the death penalty.

The New Yorker

Distress at the death of so many protesters?

The Economist

His fantastic bowling at the death can alone win matches.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the death" to add drama and a sense of urgency to descriptions of events that happen right at the end of a process, competition, or period.

Common error

Avoid using "at the death" when describing events that simply occur late in a process but lack a crucial, final impact. It is best suited for scenarios where the timing is decisive and creates a significant change in outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the death" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred. Ludwig's examples show it consistently used to specify timing, often adding emphasis to the finality or criticality of the moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the death" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively communicates the occurrence of an event right at the end of something, often adding a sense of urgency or drama. Predominantly found in News & Media, with supporting presence in Academia and Wiki sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for general communication. While "at the death" is widely accepted, consider context-appropriate alternatives like "at the last moment" or "in the final moments" for formal writing. Be sure to only use the phrase in contexts where the timing has a crucial, often decisive impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the last moment

Focuses on the timing being the very latest possible.

in the final moments

Highlights the concluding portion of an event.

at the eleventh hour

Implies a sense of urgency and last-minute action.

in the nick of time

Emphasizes narrowly avoiding a negative outcome.

at the tail end

Refers to the very end or last part of something.

in the waning moments

Highlights the decreasing time remaining.

as time expires

Stresses the end of an allotted time period.

with the last breath

Implies a final, desperate action.

at the bitter end

Suggests perseverance until the very last point, often in a difficult situation.

on one's deathbed

Specifically refers to the time just before someone dies.

FAQs

How can I use "at the death" in a sentence?

You can use "at the death" to describe something that happens in the final moments of an event, for example: "They scored the winning goal "at the death"."

What is a synonym for the phrase "at the death"?

Alternatives for "at the death" include phrases like "at the last moment", "in the final moments", or "in the nick of time".

Is it appropriate to use "at the death" in formal writing?

While "at the death" is widely accepted, it may be more suitable for journalistic or narrative writing. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "at the conclusion" or "at the end".

What does "at the death" mean in sports?

In sports, "at the death" typically refers to a play or event that occurs in the very last moments of a game, often deciding the outcome. It emphasizes the drama and tension of a final, critical moment.