# last-minute

**Pronunciation:** /ˌlæst ˈmɪnɪt/ · last MIN-it

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** adjective

## Meaning

Happening or done at the very latest possible moment before a deadline.

## Examples

- We made a last-minute decision to go to the beach.
- He booked his flight at the last minute.
- The team pulled off a last-minute victory.

## Synonyms

- final — General term for the end of a sequence.
- immediate — Happening or done without delay.
- hasty — Done with excessive speed or urgency; often implies lack of care.
- belated — Happening or arriving later than expected or desired.

## Antonyms

- early — Happening or done before the usual or expected time.
- prompt — Done without delay; immediate.

## Common patterns

- last-minute decision — A choice made very close to a deadline. — They made a last-minute decision to cancel the event.
- last-minute booking — A reservation made very close to the date of service. — She got a last-minute booking for the concert.
- last-minute change — An alteration made very close to a deadline. — The play had to proceed despite a last-minute change in the lead actor.

## Collocations

- last-minute decision — It was a last-minute decision to change our holiday destination.
- last-minute booking — We managed to get a last-minute booking for the popular restaurant.
- last-minute change — There were several last-minute changes to the flight schedule.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/last-minute

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