down-to-the-wire

adjective

ˈdau̇n-tə-ṯhə-ˈwī(-ə)r 

: full of suspense

especially : unsettled until the very end

Synonyms of down-to-the-wire

• narrow
• close
• tight

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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The down-to-the-wire drama wouldn’t be complete without some SURvers lending a helping hand. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

The mayor, absent his typical blazer, sat at a table with inmates, watching what turned out to be one of the most down-to-the-wire matches yet. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 16 July 2026

The game followed a championship series filled with down-to-the-wire face-offs won by edge-of-your-seat buzzer beaters. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 June 2026

The June 2026 election has been dominated by a down-to-the-wire governor’s race that has been filled with drama, scandal and much national attention. — Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for down-to-the-wire

• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire
• perspire