Question

Could someone explain what "down to the wire" means?

2023-06-25

This is what goPenpal answered

Absolutely! "Down to the wire" is an idiom referring to a situation whose outcome isn't decided until the very last moment. This saying originated from horse racing, where a small wire was strung above the finish line to help judges determine the winner in close races. Thus, if the race was 'down to the wire', the outcome was too close to call until the very end. Over time, this idiomatic expression has been used more broadly in contexts where a decision or outcome is uncertain until the final moments, whether it's in sports, business, politics, or everyday life scenarios. It adds drama and suspense to our conversations and narratives. Ain't language fun? 😉

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