go, come, etc. down to the wire

come down to the wire

To be unresolved or have an outcome that is in question until the last possible moment. Negotiations came down to the wire, but we did in fact agree on a new contract by the deadline. I expect this game to come down to the wire, with the winner being whoever has the ball last. There are so many stellar runners in this heat that the race will probably come down to the wire.

See also: come, down, to, wire

go down to the wire

To be unresolved or have an outcome that is in question until the last possible moment. Negotiations went down to the wire, but we did in fact agree on a new contract by the deadline. I expect this game to go down to the wire, with the winner being whoever has the ball last. There are so many stellar runners in this heat that the race will probably go down to the wire.

See also: down, go, to, wire

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go, come, etc. (right) down to the ˈwire

(informal) if you say that a situation goes down to the wire, you mean that the result will not be decided or known until the very end: Most people are predicting a very close game, quite possibly going right down to the wire.

In this idiom, the wire refers to the finishing line in races.

See also: down, to, wire

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017