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Down to the Wire

What Does "Down to the Wire" Mean?

homeidiomsDown to the Wire
"Down to the wire" is an English idiom. It means "until the very last moment or the very end."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "down to the wire" used in a sentence:
  • The election came down to the wire, with results announced late into the night.
  • The match went down to the wire with a final shot deciding the winner.
  • We finished the project right down to the wire, just hours before the deadline.
meaning for down to the wire

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Down to the Wire" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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