before the eleventh hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before the eleventh hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a time just before a deadline or the last possible moment to take action. Example: "She submitted her application before the eleventh hour, ensuring she met the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The standoff between Greece and its European creditors on Monday has seen shares fall back, but hopes that a deal can still be reached before the eleventh hour is giving some support.

The Guardian - Business

The final ceramic poppy was planted at the Tower of London by a 13-year-old army cadet just before the eleventh hour on Armistice Day.

BBC

Senator Patty Murray's budget deal with Paul Ryan was impressive for being struck before the eleventh hour, but that's about it, really.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The president has changed his mind at the eleventh hour before and the UK has not given up.

The Guardian

It batters you with novelty and works so hard to top itself that exhaustion sets in long before the second hour is over.

The New York Times

Before the first hour is up, she has been replaced by a young African-American named Anthony (Jocko Sims), who gets the job by saying he is discreet and requires no GPS device.

The New York Times - Arts

England lost captain Alastair Cook to the second ball of the day, and three more batsmen before the first hour was up, as their lowest score against Australia - 45 at this ground 127 years ago  - looked under threat.

BBC

Discouragingly, I saw myself in a mirror before the first hour was up and aborted the mission with a solitary photo to show for my efforts.

Vice

James Poniewozik of Time says "It is the same show you saw last season, the same weaknesses and strengths intact, but, as it makes clear before the first hour is over, every bit as brutal and sanguinary".

Wikipedia

Before the first hour was up, more than a dozen people were arrested for protesting, and senators on the Judiciary Committee were forced to yell over the din to decide whether to proceed.

Vice

Before the first hour was up, the doctor said that whereas he still needed to do more testing before he could make a diagnosis, he could already say that Clare was not depressed and he wanted her weaned off of her depression meds immediately.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before the eleventh hour" to create a sense of urgency and highlight actions taken close to a deadline. It adds a touch of drama to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "before the eleventh hour" when the situation isn't genuinely urgent or critical. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the eleventh hour" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an action occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its usage, primarily in contexts where timing and urgency are crucial.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before the eleventh hour" is a prepositional phrase used to convey that an action occurred just before a critical deadline or moment. Ludwig AI, based on the provided examples, marks this phrase as correct and usable in written English and identifies its primary use in News & Media. While grammatically sound, its relatively rare occurrence suggests it should be used thoughtfully to maximize its impact. For less dramatic emphasis, consider "at the last minute" or "just in time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the last minute

Focuses on the timing of the action, emphasizing that it happened as late as possible.

just in time

Emphasizes the successful avoidance of a negative outcome due to the action being taken promptly.

with little time to spare

Highlights the scarcity of remaining time and the narrow margin for error.

barely in time

Indicates that the action was almost too late, with a stronger sense of urgency.

in the nick of time

An idiomatic expression that stresses the narrow escape from a potential problem.

at the very last moment

Similar to "at the last minute" but places more emphasis on the finality of the moment.

at the death

A British idiom often used in sports or competitive contexts, indicating a last-gasp effort.

in the final hour

Highlights that action takes place during the last period available to complete something.

before it was too late

Emphasizes the negative consequences that would have occurred if the action hadn't been taken.

in the homestretch

A metaphor which refers to the final part of the race, suggesting the completion is imminent.

FAQs

How can I use "before the eleventh hour" in a sentence?

Use "before the eleventh hour" to emphasize that something was done just in time to avoid a negative outcome. For example, "The agreement was reached "before the eleventh hour", averting a crisis".

What's a less dramatic alternative to "before the eleventh hour"?

If you want to convey a similar meaning without the heightened sense of urgency, consider using phrases like "at the last minute" or "just in time".

Is "at the eleventh hour" the same as "before the eleventh hour"?

"At the eleventh hour" and "before the eleventh hour" are often used interchangeably, but "at the eleventh hour" typically emphasizes the immediacy of the action at the last possible moment, while "before the eleventh hour" suggests that the action was taken just prior to that final moment, even if only slightly before. They are both very similar though.

Which is more formal, "before the eleventh hour" or "at the last minute"?

"Before the eleventh hour" is generally considered slightly more formal and literary than "at the last minute", which is more common in everyday conversation.