Meaning & use
right under the wire
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformalfigurative
At the very last moment before a deadline; just in time.
Grammar: Used as an adverbial phrase, often after 'finish', 'submit', 'arrive', etc. It does not take an object.
Patterns
- finish right under the wire
- submit something right under the wire
- get something in right under the wire
He submitted his essay right under the wire, just minutes before the deadline.
The team finished the project right under the wire, but they made it.
We got to the airport right under the wire and almost missed the flight.
Common combinations
- finish right under the wire
- She finished the race right under the wire and qualified for the finals.
- submit right under the wire
- He submitted his application right under the wire.
- get in right under the wire
- The payment got in right under the wire, so we avoided a late fee.
Synonyms and how they differ
- just in time
- More neutral and common; 'right under the wire' emphasizes the closeness to the deadline and is more informal.
- at the last minute
- Similar meaning, but can imply a lack of planning; 'right under the wire' often suggests a narrow escape.
Opposites
Commonly confused: right under the wire or under the wire?
right under the wire vs under the wire
The shorter form means the same, but 'right' adds emphasis on the closeness to the deadline.
Practice
What does 'right under the wire' mean?
Choose one answer.
'Right under the wire' means just before the deadline, often with a sense of urgency. It does not mean exactly at the deadline or after it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “right under the wire”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.