The eleventh hour
/ði ɪˈlevənθ aʊə/informalUK · US
What does “The eleventh hour” mean?
The eleventh hour means the last possible moment before a deadline or an important event.
Something done at the eleventh hour happens when time has almost run out. It can be a rescue, a decision or an unexpected change.
It adds urgency and a little drama. It is stronger than simply saying something happened late.
When do people say it?
Usually use it after “at” when something happens just before it is too late.
“They reached an agreement at the eleventh hour.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The phrase is often linked to workers hired late in the day in a biblical story. The development of its modern deadline meaning is not fully settled.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “The eleventh hour” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Miss the boat, To be too late for an opportunity.
- By the skin of your teeth, Just barely managing to succeed or escape danger.
Last reviewed 2026-09-12