The 11th Hour

The eleventh hour is an expression referring to the last moments before a deadline or the imminence of a decisive or “final” moment. Usage of this term may be traced back to the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard in the Gospel of Matthew and also to the last moments of the First World War, which ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Month of the year 1918.

Often used disparagingly about those who have put off preparations that they knew they should have started far earlier.