in the home stretch

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the home stretch" is a correct phrase in written English and is often used to describe when a task or project is nearly finished and close to completion.
For example: "We are in the home stretch of remodeling the kitchen and just need to paint a few walls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We're in the home stretch.

The New York Times

"We are in the home stretch.

The New York Times

"We're in the home stretch," he said.

The New York Times

We are in the home stretch of the artistry.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It could all fall apart in the home stretch.

The Guardian - Sport

He could succeed in uniting Republicans in the home stretch.

The Washington Post

At that point, I thought I was in the home stretch.

The Washington Post

But as Mr. Wilson put it: "We're definitely in the home stretch.

The New York Times - Arts

Equally riveting is the way Manzano pops out of traffic in the home stretch.

The New York Times - Sports

How are preparations for the show coming along? A. We're in the home stretch.

The New York Times

But in the home stretch of his final term, egregious human rights abuses persist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the home stretch" when you want to convey that a project or task is nearing its end and the final efforts are being made. It adds a sense of urgency and excitement.

Common error

Avoid using "in the home stretch" too early in a project. It implies that the end is very near, so using it prematurely can diminish its impact and create a false sense of progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the home stretch" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its use to indicate that something is nearing completion. It typically acts as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, describing when an action is taking place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the home stretch" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to indicate that a task or project is nearing completion. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is widely used in News & Media and generally conveys a sense of progress and anticipation. While acceptable in most contexts, it's best to use more formal alternatives in strictly professional or scientific writing. Remember to avoid using it prematurely to maintain its impact and ensure it aligns with the actual progress of your work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the final leg

Another racing metaphor emphasizing the last part of a journey or task.

close to the finish line

Uses a similar racing metaphor, but more explicitly states the end point.

on the verge of completion

Emphasizes imminence and the anticipation of finishing.

nearing completion

Focuses on the act of approaching the end, omitting the racing metaphor.

in the final phase

Replaces the metaphor with a more literal description of being in the last stage.

in the concluding stage

Similar to 'in the final phase', but emphasizes the act of concluding.

drawing to a close

Uses a more formal and literary style to suggest approaching the end.

almost done

A simpler, more informal way of expressing nearing completion.

approaching the deadline

Highlights the temporal aspect of an approaching end, specifically regarding deadlines.

winding down

Describes a gradual reduction in activity towards the end.

FAQs

What does the idiom "in the home stretch" mean?

The idiom "in the home stretch" means that something is nearing its end or completion. It suggests that the most difficult part is over and the final efforts are being made.

How can I use "in the home stretch" in a sentence?

You can use "in the home stretch" to describe any task, project, or endeavor that is nearing completion. For example, "We're "in the home stretch" of the marathon, so we need to push ourselves to finish strong."

What are some alternatives to saying "in the home stretch"?

You can use alternatives like "nearing completion", "close to the finish line", or "in the final phase" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "in the home stretch" in formal writing?

While "in the home stretch" is widely understood, it's somewhat informal due to its idiomatic nature. In very formal writing, consider using a more literal alternative like "approaching completion" or "in the final stages".