eleventh hour

USAGE SUMMARY

"eleventh hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time when something must be done very quickly or urgently, usually just before a deadline. For example, "We submitted the project proposal at the eleventh hour, but luckily it was still accepted".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Iceland powers up The other AIDS epidemic Ocean's eleventh hour?

The Economist

A deal fell apart at the eleventh hour.

The Washington Post

Even at the eleventh hour, the campaign keeps us guessing.

The Guardian

At the eleventh hour, Microsoft reversed itself -- sort of.

The New York Times - Tech

At the eleventh hour, his life was spared.

The New Yorker

8 5 4 ELEVENTH HOUR, by Catherine Coulter.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"This is purely eleventh-hour election-year politics," he said.

The Washington Post

California has company in this eleventh-hour agony.

The Washington Post

Like those eleventh-hour pleas from the platform.

The New Yorker

Rake's eleventh-hour offer was thus timed curiously.

The Guardian - Business

Many Thais are praying for an eleventh-hour change that installs her on the throne.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eleventh hour" to create a sense of urgency or near-failure. For example, "They reached an agreement at the eleventh hour, averting a strike."

Common error

Don't use "eleventh hour" when the situation isn't genuinely critical or close to a deadline. Overusing it diminishes its impact. Save it for when there's real tension and the outcome is uncertain until the very last moment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eleventh hour" functions as a noun phrase or adverbial phrase, typically modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action. Ludwig shows it describes events happening very late, close to a deadline.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eleventh hour" is a phrase used to describe something that happens at the last possible moment. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase is commonly used in news and media to convey urgency. While grammatically sound and broadly applicable, be mindful of overusing it, reserving it for genuinely critical situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last minute

This is a shorter, more common way to express the same idea.

at the last moment

This alternative focuses on the timing of an event.

in the nick of time

This idiom emphasizes averting a negative outcome.

just in time

This expresses the narrow escape from being late or missing something.

at the critical moment

This phrase puts stress on the importance of the timing.

with no time to spare

Focuses on the lack of remaining time.

at the very end

This is a simple description of temporal proximity.

barely in time

This alternative emphasizes how close something was to being too late.

close to the deadline

This is specific to situations with deadlines.

at the tail end

This suggests something occurring towards the end of a process.

FAQs

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

You can use "eleventh hour" to describe something that happens just before it is too late. For example, "The deal was finalized at the "last minute" / at the eleventh hour."

What is a synonym for "eleventh hour"?

Synonyms for "eleventh hour" include "last minute", "in the nick of time", and "just in time".

Is it appropriate to use "eleventh hour" in formal writing?

Yes, "eleventh hour" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing, though it is more common in news and media contexts. It effectively conveys a sense of urgency.

What does "eleventh hour" mean?

The phrase "eleventh hour" refers to the latest possible time before it is too late. It signifies a final opportunity to take action or make a change.