down to the wire
until the last moment that it is possible to do something:
I think the election will go right down to the wire (= be won at the last moment).

[TahlilGaran] Advanced Learner's Dictionary ▲

down to the wire
[American & Australian]
until the very last moment that it is possible to do something.
If both teams are playing at their best, the game will go down to the wire (= it will be won at the last moment).

The Democrats struggled down to the wire to choose their candidate.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

down to the wire
at the very last minute (from the wire at the end of a horse race); near a deadline, with little time remaining; to be running out of time
The election went down to the wire but in the end the President was re-elected to another term in office.

They were down to the wire but the two sides finally agreed to a new contract.

We went down to the wire but we were able to finish the job on time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

down to the wire
adj., slang
1. Running out of time, nearing a deadline.
Bob is down to the wire on his project.
2. Being financially almost broke, being very low on cash or other funds.
We can't afford going to a restaurant tonight
■ we're really down to the wire!

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲