last-minute save

USAGE SUMMARY

"last-minute save" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where something is salvaged or resolved just before a deadline or critical moment. For example, "The team made a last-minute save to secure the project." Alternative expressions include "last-second rescue" and "eleventh-hour intervention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Sow had a couple of chances and the substitute Emmanuel Emenike drew a sharp last-minute save out of Szczesny but Giroud's penalty, after Kadlec's foul on Walcott, represented Arsenal's emphatic final word.

The Guardian - Sport

Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac came closest to scoring when he struck the post, before defender Jeremy Morel was sent off and Steve Mandanda produced a spectacular last-minute save from Corentin Tolisso's shot to deny Lyon victory.

BBC

Its redesign is another surprising bounce-back, like the last-minute save of the Olympic bid".

The New York Times

So in an inspired last-minute save, he built a Web site with all of the important paintings and room for annotation.

The New York Times

Scott Malone was then denied by a stunning last-minute save by home goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

BBC

The great hope is for renewal on the business side and a last-minute save from Microsoft, which lifted PCs out of a 1990 slump by introducing Windows.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

There are high highs, low lows, and last-minute saves that seem amped up for cinematic purposes.

Los Angeles Times

Schumer of New York responded that in his state, 85% of the hospitals were operating in the red, burdened with last-minute saves of people without insurance -- who tend to be workers and desperately ill when they get to a hospital, an estimated 45,000 of them dying unnecessarily each year.

Huffington Post

The council also managed to get speedy de facto recognition, granted by Arab countries, such as Qatar, which provided petrol and other essential supplies, and by Western countries, such as France, Britain and the United States, which provided the airpower that at the very last minute saved Benghazi from a government armoured-column that had bulldozed its way to the outskirts of town.

The Economist

His relationship with Kahn went unmentioned though Lehmann did recall his own last-minute penalty save that denied Juan Roman Riquelme in the Arsenal-Villarreal European Cup semi-final second leg.

The Guardian - Sport

City are not in that situation, and it must be remembered that though United's Cup final against Newcastle in their Treble year was something of a formality, the semi-final against Arsenal involved a replay, a last-minute penalty save and a prodigious winning goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "eleventh-hour rescue" or "nick of time" to vary your language and avoid repetition, especially in longer texts.

Common error

Avoid using "last-minute save" for situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly delayed, as it can exaggerate the importance of the event and dilute its impact when describing genuinely critical rescues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last-minute save" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific instance where something is salvaged or rescued at the very end. Ludwig examples illustrate this in various contexts, from sports to business.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last-minute save" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a situation where something is rescued just before a deadline or critical moment. Ludwig's analysis of various sources reveals that it is most commonly used in news and media contexts, with neutral register. While the phrase is useful for adding drama and urgency, it should be used judiciously to avoid overuse. Related phrases include "eleventh-hour rescue" and "nick of time". Though classified as correct and usable in written English, less common than alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eleventh-hour rescue

Emphasizes the lateness of the intervention, suggesting a near-disastrous situation.

last-second reprieve

Highlights the narrow escape from an undesirable outcome.

nick of time

A more idiomatic expression for a very timely rescue.

last-gasp effort

Focuses on the final attempt made to prevent failure.

late save

A simplified version, less emphatic about the timing.

final hour intervention

Similar to 'eleventh-hour rescue', stressing the very late stage of the action.

death-defying escape

Implies a very dangerous situation being narrowly avoided.

come-from-behind victory

Specifically used when referring to win in sports, business or games.

last-ditch attempt

Similar to 'last-gasp effort', but with a slightly more desperate connotation.

close call

Highlights the precariousness of the situation and the nearness of failure.

FAQs

How can "last-minute save" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "last-minute save" is used to describe an action or event that prevents failure or disaster right before it occurs. For example, "The goalkeeper made a "last-minute save" to win the game" or "A "last-minute save" from the bank prevented the company from going bankrupt".

What are some alternatives to "last-minute save"?

Alternatives include "eleventh-hour rescue", "last-second reprieve", or "nick of time". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "last minute save" a cliché?

While "last-minute save" is a fairly common expression, it's not necessarily a cliché unless overused or applied inappropriately. Using it sparingly and in contexts where it accurately reflects the situation will prevent it from sounding stale.

What's the difference between "last-minute save" and "close call"?

A "close call" describes a situation where failure or disaster nearly occurred, while "last-minute save" describes the action that successfully averted that outcome. A close call often precedes a "last-minute save".