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What does “at the last minute” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
B2
Very close to a deadline or event, often causing rush
“We changed our plans at the last minute.”
From the B2 lesson Playing It by Ear (time and timing).
Quick check
What does “at the last minute” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“at the last minute” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks B2 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings).
See the B2 lesson pack
See the B2 lesson pack
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Related phrases
- play it by earto decide what to do as things happen, without a fixed plan
- at short noticewith very little warning beforehand
- call it a dayto stop doing something, usually for the day
- in the nick of timeat the very last possible moment
- a last-minute thingsomething arranged or decided very close to when it happens
- on timeat the correct, planned time; not late
- run lateto be behind schedule
- in advancebefore something happens, with planning
- without any warningsuddenly, with no notice beforehand