{"id":3521,"date":"2022-05-25T17:51:29","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T17:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=3521"},"modified":"2022-05-25T17:51:29","modified_gmt":"2022-05-25T17:51:29","slug":"down-to-the-wire-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/down-to-the-wire-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Down To the Wire \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a way to express a competition that\u2019s too close to call the winner? You could say that it\u2019s coming \u201cdown to the wire<\/em>\u201d for the competitors. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The meaning of \u201cdown to the wire<\/em>\u201d suggests that there will be an outcome only clearly available after witnessing the end.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It usually refers to competition between two or more parties, with the result being too close to call. It can refer to competitions like sports events or life events, like competing for a promotion at work.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cThe presidential race is coming down to the wire this year. The polls have both candidates battling it head to head for the lead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis new management position is coming down to the wire in a faceoff between John and Mike. It\u2019s too close to call right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will go down to the wire; things are neck-and-neck between the two companies bidding for the contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis tournament is going down to the wire. Will the Blackhawks or the Red Wingers take home the Stanley Cup in Game 7?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going down to the wire with this. Will the contestants finish the course before the buzzer? Or are they going home with their tails between their legs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOld Betsy and Charlemagne are coming down the straight neck-and-neck for the lead. This race is going down to the wire and we\u2019re going to need a photo-finish to determine the victor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cdown to the wire\u201d originates from horse racing in the late 1800s. It was common for horse races to end in dramatic finishes where the winner would \u201cwin by a nose.\u201d<\/p>\n

With gambling on the horses being big business, event organizers would draw a wire across the finish line to assess which horse finished first in a close contest. As the jockeys and their animals approached the finish line, commentators would say they were coming \u201cdown to the wire.\u201d<\/p>\n

The earliest written record of the expression comes from Scribner\u2019s Magazine, in the story \u201cHow the Derby was Won,\u201d published in July 1889.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the end of the stand was reached Timarch worked up to Petrel, and the two raced down to the wire, cheered on by the applause of the spectators.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is another claim that the expression originates from Australia, where it appears in the Australian newspaper \u201cThe Southern Argus\u201d in June 1884 as the following.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a terrific race round the, turn and down to the wire, Soprano, staying the longest, and winning by a neck, amidst uproarious applause.\u201d<\/p>\n