left it to the last minute vs left it until the last minute

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey the idea of delaying something until the final moments. The choice between them depends on personal preference or regional variations.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 4625 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate delaying something until the final moments.

"left it to the last minute"

This phrase means to postpone doing something until the very end, often resulting in a rush to complete it on time.

Examples:

I always leave my homework to the last minute.
Don't leave packing for your trip to the last minute.

Show examples from the web [+]

You certainly left it to the last minute.
She left everything to the last minute, as usual.
We have left it until the last minute in order to avoid following those of our Member States who wanted to make sure that no reference was made to this idea of a social VAT.
I always leave it to the last minute.
Of course, He leaves it to the last minute.
I can't. I left all this weekend's marking to the last minute.
I mean why did you leave it to the last minute?
It always comes down to the last minute, daddy.
You nagged them to the last minute.
It is not actually possible to plan plenary debates down to the last minute.
Time's short, but best leave it to the last moment.
Let's just say he may not make it to The Last Supper.
I did, when I wore it to the last five quinceaneras.
I did, when I wore it to the last five quinceaneras.
What has not changed, what will never change, from the last plane, to the last bullet, to the last minute, to the last man, we fight.
You held the sell tickets on Virtanen to the last minute so I wouldn't see.
As you know, we've kept the lines open up to the last minute.
There's no reason to hurry to the last minute.
You know me, Marcheeza, I'd never leave something as critical as a Halloween costume to the last minute, but this year I was sincerely stumped.
We have no time to lose - we should not leave everything to the last minute.

Alternatives:

waited until the last minute
delayed it until the last minute
procrastinated until the last minute
put it off until the last minute
postponed it until the last minute

This phrase is correct and commonly used to convey the idea of delaying something until the final moments.

"left it until the last minute"

This phrase also means to postpone doing something until the very end, often resulting in a rush to complete it on time.

Examples:

She always leaves her assignments until the last minute.
I left booking the tickets until the last minute.

Show examples from the web [+]

We have left it until the last minute in order to avoid following those of our Member States who wanted to make sure that no reference was made to this idea of a social VAT.
I worked on it until the last minute.
I worked on it until the last minute.
Nobody will be able to guess it until the last minute.
We're not saving it until the last minute, we're supposed work on it all semester.
You certainly left it to the last minute.
Never take it off until the last minute, it reflects light.
Until the last minute you wont guess who is the killer.
We needed strong momentum right up until the last minute.
I am just waiting until the last minute to apply for absolution.
We needed strong momentum right up until the last minute.
So we don't tell them anything until the last minute.
You always miss it right up until the last minute.
We will do our duty until the last minute.
I therefore request my speaking time in accordance with what had been arranged until the last minute.
Mr President, Mr Poettering waited until the last minute!
A lot of judgment coming from the guy who waited until the last minute to buy cranberry sauce.
Don't drop the extra tanks until the last minute.
I'd completely forgotten until the last minute but I didn't want to let him down.
If we handle it right, Dubaku won't be aware of the deception until the last minute.

Alternatives:

waited until the last minute
delayed it until the last minute
procrastinated until the last minute
put it off until the last minute
postponed it until the last minute

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left it to the last minute vs left it until the last minute