last-minute
UK: ˌlɑːst ˈmɪnɪt | US: ˌlæst ˈmɪnɪt
adj. done or occurring at the latest possible time before an event.
n. the final moments before a deadline or event.
The compound "last-minute" combines "last" (from Old English latost, meaning "final") and "minute" (from Latin minuta, via Old French, meaning "small unit of time"). The phrase emerged in the early 20th century to describe actions or decisions made at the very end of a timeframe, emphasizing urgency or procrastination. The logic is straightforward: "last" marks the endpoint, while "minute" underscores the narrow window of time remaining.
She made a last-minute change to her presentation slides.
The team scored a last-minute goal to win the match.
We booked a last-minute flight to avoid the holiday rush.
His last-minute cancellation left us scrambling for a replacement.
The store offered last-minute discounts to clear its inventory.