last minute glitches

USAGE SUMMARY

'last minute glitches' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the minor issues or mistakes that crop up right before a deadline. For example, "I thought I had everything ready for my presentation, but then I encountered some last minute glitches with the laptop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After a flurry of last-minute extensions following problems with the online enrolment exchange, the administration announced yet another: a 24-hour grace period to take into account timezone differences and any last minute glitches.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The financing was a second choice for Digg, which thought it was getting bought by Google for $200 million until a last minute glitch killed the deal.

TechCrunch

Some last-minute glitches almost derailed the deal, including a scare, last September, about getting a mortgage at an affordable rate.

The New York Times

Some last-minute glitches delayed the take-off date from June 20 to July 7.

The New York Times - Science

Then comes the swing coach, an ironer-out of last-minute glitches or a reassuring massager of confidence levels.

The Guardian - Sport

When final approval was held up for an hour over typos and a dispute over a single verb – shall or should – Hollande telephoned Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, to assure him the last-minute glitches would be fixed.

The Guardian

Last-minute glitches in a new computer system are threatening to gum up the polling service that helps news organizations tabulate not only projections of election results but also the demographics and motivations behind them.

The New York Times

There is scant time for formalities now as he dashes around the 500-acre Olympic Park in east London, track-trim at 55 in his chinos, tending to last-minute glitches, spreading the word that all will be right on the day.

The New York Times - Sports

Wigler and his colleagues have shown that many cases of autism seem to arise from rare de novo mutations new wrinkles in the fabric of DNA that are not inherited in the traditional way but arise as last-minute glitches during the process in which a parent's sperm or egg cells form.

MIT Technology Review

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems that some last-minute glitches have postponed the release of the client.

TechCrunch

Right, well I mention this on the off chance that the patch might not even drop tomorrow Blizzard has said it will release the patch provided there's no last-minute glitches.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects or events, use "last minute glitches" to acknowledge and address unexpected issues that arose just before completion or launch.

Common error

Avoid using "last minute glitches" to describe significant or systemic problems. This phrase is best suited for minor, easily rectifiable issues that occur close to a deadline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last minute glitches" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to unexpected, minor problems that arise shortly before a deadline or event. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last minute glitches" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase, generally referring to minor, unexpected issues that surface just before a deadline. As Ludwig highlights, it's appropriate for diverse contexts, from news reporting to professional correspondence. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the scale of the problem – reserving it for smaller, rectifiable issues rather than major systemic failures. Consider alternatives like "final hour setbacks" or "eleventh hour snags" to add nuance. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is a correct and functional part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final hour setbacks

Focuses on the timing and the negative aspect of the issues.

eleventh hour snags

Emphasizes the unexpected and problematic nature of the issues at the very end.

last second complications

Highlights the timing and the resulting complexity.

late stage errors

Highlights the timing and the mistakes.

final phase difficulties

Highlights the timing and the challenges.

closing time malfunctions

Specifies the timing and the operational problems.

end game hiccups

Highlights the timing and the minor issues.

deadline day troubles

Emphasizes the deadline pressure and the problems.

last gasp problems

Highlights the last moment and the difficulties.

terminal phase bugs

Highlights the end and the software errors.

FAQs

How can I use "last minute glitches" in a sentence?

You can use "last minute glitches" to describe unexpected minor problems that occur just before a deadline or event. For example: "Despite some "last minute glitches", the presentation went smoothly."

What are some alternatives to "last minute glitches"?

Alternatives include "final hour setbacks", "eleventh hour snags", or "last second complications", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "last minute glitches" in formal writing?

Yes, "last minute glitches" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when discussing project management or technical issues. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "late stage errors" or "final phase difficulties" in highly formal contexts.

What kind of problems qualify as "last minute glitches"?

"Last minute glitches" typically refer to minor issues such as software bugs, scheduling conflicts, or technical malfunctions that can be quickly resolved. They do not encompass fundamental flaws or strategic errors.