down-to-the-wire

adjective

ˈdau̇n-tə-ṯhə-ˈwī(-ə)r

Synonyms of down-to-the-wire next

: full of suspense

especially : unsettled until the very end

Examples of down-to-the-wire in a Sentence

a down-to-the-wire contest for the pennant

Recent Examples on the Web Teoscar Hernández edges Bobby Witt Jr. in down-to-the-wire final July 15, 2024 Nationals take Texas Tech catcher to open Day 2 of MLB draft July 15, 2024 NewsletterAs news breaks Sports Alerts Breaking news email alerts on major sports news. —

Barry Svrluga, Washington Post, 16 July 2024 Dallas fought back and forced a hold situation in the 65th minute as both teams prepared for a down-to-the-wire finish. —

Matt Guzman, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2024 Muhl’s appearance was brief in the down-to-the-wire battle, which ended in an 85-83 victory for the Storm. —

Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2024 The last great, down-to-the-wire race for the scoring crown came in 2014-15, when Jamie Benn edged out John Tavares by one point and Sidney Crosby by three. —

Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'down-to-the-wire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of down-to-the-wire was in 1930

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near down-to-the-wire

down to the smallest/last/tiniest detail

down-to-the-wire

downtown

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Down-to-the-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down-to-the-wire. Accessed 21 Sep. 2024.

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