close to the wire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to the wire" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is done at the last possible moment or just before a deadline. Example: "The project was completed just in time, as we were cutting it close to the wire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It was close to the wire".

The Guardian - Arts

"It's really cutting it close to the wire".

The New York Times

"They are that close to the wire," the soldier typed.

The New York Times

"It is close to the wire," Mr. Mehta said last week, just before the orchestra left on the tour.

The New York Times - Arts

It was desperately close to the wire; it only started working properly three minutes before the opening.

The Guardian - Arts

"Both banks are running close to the wire," said John Tyce, an analyst at SG Securities in London.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The Last Leg had the benefit of what is a unique format: part sports show, part comedy panel, and all underlined with an often close-to-the-wire take on disability.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The second part is about the investigation of the line model accuracy close to the wires, using both analytical and numerical approaches.

Journal of Electrostatics

To do this, depress the tab away from the thermostat (close to the wires) and slide off.

WikiHow

Another two coaching changes, the biggest cup shock in 50 years, more whingeing at Lyon, a new reffing conspiracy and a title race inching closer to the wire after joint-leaders Marseille and, thrillingly, Bordeaux came through tricky away matches: a midweek round of Ligue 1 action was never meant to be this exciting.

The Guardian - Sport

The soldiers picked out a fat brown cow that had made the fatal mistake of straying too close to the concertina wire and encircled it on one side, trapping it between them and the wire.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to the wire" to add a sense of urgency or excitement to your writing. It effectively conveys that something was achieved or resolved just before a critical deadline or limit.

Common error

Avoid using "close to the wire" when the situation lacks genuine risk or urgency. The phrase implies a near-failure scenario, so using it in a low-stakes context can sound exaggerated or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to the wire" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate timing. It describes when an action occurred relative to a deadline or critical point. As Ludwig AI confirms, this idiom is widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to the wire" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to express that something occurred just before a deadline or critical moment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and relevance across contexts. While suitable for neutral and professional registers, it's crucial to apply it in situations genuinely involving urgency or risk. Alternatives like "at the eleventh hour" or "just in the nick of time" offer similar meanings for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the eleventh hour

Implies action taken at the very last moment before it's too late.

just in the nick of time

Emphasizes the narrow escape or timely intervention.

down to the last minute

Highlights the urgency and the lack of remaining time.

by a hair's breadth

Focuses on how small the margin for error was.

on the verge

Indicates being near a critical point or event.

on the brink

Similar to "on the verge" but often implies a negative outcome.

skating on thin ice

Suggests engaging in risky behavior with potential negative consequences.

pushing it

Implies taking a risk by leaving things to the last moment.

cutting it fine

Means allowing very little margin for error or delay.

running out of time

Emphasizes that the time available to do something is almost finished.

FAQs

How can I use "close to the wire" in a sentence?

You can use "close to the wire" to describe situations where something is completed or resolved just before a deadline or critical moment. For example: "The negotiations went right down to the wire", or, "We finished the project close to the wire".

What does "close to the wire" mean?

The idiom "close to the wire" means that something is done or achieved just before a deadline or a critical point. It implies that there was very little time to spare.

What can I say instead of "close to the wire"?

You can use alternatives like "at the eleventh hour", "just in the nick of time", or "down to the last minute" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "cut it close to the wire"?

Yes, "cut it close to the wire" is a variation of the idiom and means to barely meet a deadline or succeed at the last possible moment.