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Business English vocabulary · Deadlines and Scheduling

At the eleventh hour

Meaning in business english, with examples

idiomAdvanced term

In business english, at the eleventh hour means: At the last possible moment before it is too late.

In Turkish: son anda, son dakikada

How it is used

Used dramatically for late changes or decisions. It is figurative and does not refer to eleven o'clock or exactly one hour remaining.

Example sentences

  1. The customer changed the address at the eleventh hour, just before the delivery truck left.

    The change arrives at the last practical moment for redirecting the delivery.

  2. Approval arrived at the eleventh hour, allowing us to submit the proposal before the portal closed.

    The submission still succeeds; the phrase emphasizes how narrowly the deadline was met.

Common collocations

  • arrive at the eleventh hour
  • change plans at the eleventh hour
  • deadlineThe latest date or time by which a piece of work must be finished, sent or delivered.
  • proposalA formal plan or offer, written or spoken, that is put forward for others such as a client or management to consider and accept.

More terms: Deadlines and Scheduling

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