in the nick of time
in the nick of time
Meaning
- almost too late
- at the last possible second
- at a pivotal or important moment
Example Sentences
- He arrived at the wedding in the nick of time.
- The ambulance arrived in the nick of time. If they had been 5 minutes later he would have died.
- His speech was delivered in the nick of time. I was beginning to think that the people were going to start fighting.
- You cannot keep arriving in the nick of time. Make sure to check your watch tomorrow so that you can be early enough to help.
- You have to add the baking soda in the nick of time, otherwise it won’t work.
Origin
The phrase used to be “in the nick” and dates back to the 1500s, when nick meant “the critical moment”. A nick-stick was used to keep track of time, points and transactions that took place. It was especially useful in sporting events.
A nick is a small notch that is used as a marker. It is very small and precise. Thus, if something is done “in the nick” it is done at the exact place or time it should be.
The idiom “in the nick of time” has only been recorded since 1643.
Synonyms
- last-minute
- recent
- just in time
- eleventh-hour
- not a moment too soon
- after everything or everyone else
- last-ditch
- at the critical moment
About the Author
Elena Jones holds a PhD in Education from Harvard University. She has extensive experience teaching at both the Kâ12 and university levels, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language. Elena has dedicated her career to advancing educational practices, and she has contributed to numerous educational journals.
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