at the eleventh hour

Meaning

This phrase means at the very last moment, just before it is too late. In business, it is frequently used to describe late-stage negotiations, last-minute contract signings, or sudden changes to a project plan. The tone is neutral but carries a sense of urgency, relief, or mild stress due to the lack of time.

Examples

• The two companies managed to reach an agreement at the eleventh hour, avoiding a costly lawsuit.

  The two companies managed to reach an agreement at the eleventh hour, avoiding a costly lawsuit.

• We had to redesign the entire presentation at the eleventh hour because the client changed their mind.

  We had to redesign the entire presentation at the eleventh hour because the client changed their mind.

• An anonymous investor saved the startup from bankruptcy at the eleventh hour.

  An anonymous investor saved the startup from bankruptcy at the eleventh hour.

• He submitted his proposal at the eleventh hour, just minutes before the portal closed.

  He submitted his proposal at the eleventh hour, just minutes before the portal closed.

• At the eleventh hour, the manager decided to postpone the product launch.

  At the eleventh hour, the manager decided to postpone the product launch.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They signed the deal in the eleventh hour.

  ✓ They signed the deal at the eleventh hour.

  The correct preposition to use with this idiom is almost always 'at,' not 'in' or 'on.'

• ✗ We made a decision at the eleven hour.

  ✓ We made a decision at the eleventh hour.

  You must use the ordinal number 'eleventh,' not the cardinal number 'eleven.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• The flight was canceled, but we managed to book a train ticket ___.

  💡 At the very last moment.

  Show answer

  at the eleventh hour

• They settled the labor dispute ___ to prevent a nationwide strike.

  💡 Just before it was too late.

  Show answer

  at the eleventh hour