very last minute

USAGE SUMMARY

"very last minute" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you have done something with little advance warning or to indicate that a decision was made only a short time before it was implemented. Example Sentence: We had to make a very last minute change to the presentation due to an unexpected delay.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At the very last minute.

Independent

"At the very last minute, they will sort it out".

The New York Times

"All of this has been very last minute," says Zammit.

The Guardian - Sport

Many times we made payroll at the very last minute".

The New York Times

He didn't stop until the very last minute.

The Guardian - Arts

Up until the very last minute Omar still wanted me to change my mind.

Independent

This situation of isolation from other prisoners lasted until the very last minute".

The Guardian

"That happened at the very last minute," Mr. Hoare said of Mr. Cameron's participation.

The New York Times

(Either way, if you're making cream puffs, they should be filled at the very last minute).

The New York Times - Food

The project would be kept quiet until the very last minute.

The New York Times

"It's not enough to intercept terrorists here, at the very last minute.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very last minute" to emphasize extreme urgency or lack of planning. It adds more impact than simply saying "last minute".

Common error

Avoid consistently using "very last minute" as an excuse for disorganization. While it can highlight urgency, overuse suggests a lack of foresight and planning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very last minute" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the timing of an event or action, emphasizing that it occurred with extreme lateness. As Ludwig AI suggests, it often implies urgency or a lack of prior planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very last minute" is a commonly used phrase that functions as an adjectival phrase to highlight the extremely late timing of an event or action. It is grammatically sound and emphasizes urgency, as Ludwig AI confirmed. While versatile across contexts, it's most frequently encountered in news and media. When writing, use it intentionally to convey a sense of immediacy, but avoid overuse to prevent implying poor planning. Consider alternatives like "at the eleventh hour" or "in the nick of time" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the last possible moment

Highlights that it was the final opportunity to act before something became impossible.

at the eleventh hour

Emphasizes the lateness of the action, suggesting it occurred just before it was too late.

in the nick of time

Highlights the narrow escape from a negative outcome due to the timing.

with no time to spare

Emphasizes the lack of available time and the urgency of the situation.

at the tail end

Indicates something happening near the conclusion or final part of a process or event.

right before the close

Implies that something occurred before the closing of business or the end of an event.

just before the deadline

Specifically refers to the point immediately preceding a set limit or cutoff.

at the last gasp

Similar to “at the death”, implying a last ditch effort at the end of something.

at the death

A more dramatic idiom emphasizing the nearness to the end or cessation of something.

at the fag end

Similar to 'tail end', suggesting the very last part of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "very last minute" to describe something done or decided with almost no advance warning, like, "We made a "very last minute" change to our travel plans."

What are some alternatives to "very last minute"?

Alternatives include "at the eleventh hour", "in the nick of time", or "at the last possible moment", all conveying a similar sense of urgency.

Is it redundant to say "very last minute"?

While "last minute" alone is commonly used, adding "very" intensifies the sense of urgency and emphasizes the extreme lack of preparation time.

What does it mean when something is described as "very last minute"?

It indicates that an action, decision, or event occurred just before a deadline or a point where it would have been too late, implying little to no advance planning.