down to the wire idiom meaning
(idiomatic) At the very end of a process or project, especially one with a fast-approaching deadline. He was almost done with the paper, but tomorrow's due date meant it would be down to the wire. (idiomatic) At the very end of a process or project, especially one with a fast-approaching deadline. He was almost done with the paper, but tomorrow's due date meant it would come down to the wire.