at the last minute vs at the last moment

Both 'at the last minute' and 'at the last moment' are correct phrases in English. They are interchangeable and can be used to indicate something happening just before a deadline or an event. The choice between the two is a matter of personal preference, as they convey the same meaning.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 2597 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate something happening just before a deadline or an event.

"at the last minute"

This phrase is used to describe an action or decision that occurs very close to the end of a period of time or just before an event is due to happen.

Examples:

She always finishes her work at the last minute.
The team made changes to the project at the last minute.
He decided to join the trip at the last minute.
Don't leave your homework until the last minute.
The flight was canceled at the last minute.

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Maybe he just pulled up sick at the last minute.
Because at the last minute, the adoption fell through.
Job interview came up at the last minute.
Something came up at the last minute.
I'll join them at the last minute.
But at the last minute, we were found.
Added at the last minute and not approved by me.
My friend didn't just bail at the last minute.
You don't usually cram at the last minute.
Backed out at the last minute.
It fell through at the last minute.
Your own people will kill you at the last minute.
They changed the program at the last minute and played nothing but Sibelius.
She lost her venue at the last minute.
Here's hoping nothing else happens at the last minute.
Jay called to cancel at the last minute.
On safety grounds, carriers sometimes replace aircraft at the last minute.
The hotel had to swap them at the last minute.
We switched up the schedule a little bit at the last minute.
I am so sorry, but the babysitter canceled at the last minute.

Alternatives:

at the eleventh hour
just in time
at the final moment
at the end of the line
at the brink of time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate something happening just before a deadline or an event.

"at the last moment"

This phrase is used to describe an action or decision that occurs very close to the end of a period of time or just before an event is due to happen.

Examples:

She made up her mind at the last moment.
The decision was made at the last moment.
He arrived at the last moment.
The goal was scored at the last moment.
They found the solution at the last moment.

Show examples from the web [+]

Because at the last moment, I decided not to.
An error in book-keeping discovered at the last moment should do the trick.
He would always pull away at the last moment.
In 1918 Paris was saved at the last moment.
I see him just at the last moment.
The young lady changed her mind at the last moment. I've been indebted to her ever since.
And then at the last moment...
Only because you were Called off at the last moment.
We always pull together at the last moment.
But at the last moment, she betrayed her sisters.
Besides, I was only pulled in at the last moment.
We are increasingly getting documents at the last moment.
He catches trains and things, but always at the last moment.
And at the last moment, your predecessor chose our rivals.
You don't want us canceling at the last moment again.
Some guests have just arrived, right at the last moment, as usual.
But the monster kills Frankenstein in the play after his creator decides at the last moment not to provide him with a mate.
The ending of the film was changed at the last moment before its opening dates.
I always stopped at the last moment because I'm a coward.
No, it's just at the last moment he was assigned to drive General Tanz.

Alternatives:

at the eleventh hour
just in time
at the final minute
at the end of the line
at the brink of time

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at the last minute vs at the last moment