Meaning: At the last possible moment
Hindi: अंतिम समय पर
Synonyms: last minute, just in time, nick of time
Antonyms: well in advance, ahead of time
Asked in: SSC CPO 2024 T-1 · SSC Steno 2024 T-1 · IB ACIO 2023 T-1 · SSC CPO 2022 T-1 · SSC Steno 2022 T-1 · SSC GD 2022 T-1 · SSC GD 2021 T-1 · SSC CGL 2020 T-1
at the eleventh hour in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined word in the given idiom.
At the last hourAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) eleventh
The phrase "At the eleventh hour" is an idiom that means at the very last moment or just before a deadline or event happens. It originates from the idea of a clock and time, with the "eleventh hour" symbolizing a point very close to the end (just before the twelfth hour, or midnight).
For example:
• If a project is submitted "at the eleventh hour," it means it was completed or handed in just before the deadline.
In the given context:
• The phrase "At the last hour" is being corrected to the proper idiom "At the eleventh hour" since it is the established expression used in English to describe such situations.
Why other options are incorrect:
• "Half" is unrelated to this idiom and doesn't mak - SSC Steno 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
At the eleventh hourAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) At the last possible moment
Correct Answer: At the last possible moment
Explanation: The idiom "at the eleventh hour" refers to doing something at the last possible moment, just before a deadline or before it is too late.
Other options:
• At the distance: This is unrelated to the idiom and refers to something far away.
• At the break of the day: This refers to the time when the day begins
• At the present time: This refers to the current time - SSC CPO 2022 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
At the eleventh hourAnswer & explanation
Answer: D) Just before the deadline
Answer: 4
Solution (Correct Option – 4: Just before the deadline):
The idiom “At the eleventh hour” means at the last possible moment, or just before it is too late — usually right before a deadline or decision point.
Example: They submitted the project at the eleventh hour.
Why other options are incorrect:
• Time for debate – Not related to timing.
• Very late in the evening – Literal and incorrect; the idiom is not about clock time.
• A state of confusion – Refers to disorganisation, not timing.
Difficult Word Meaning:
At the eleventh hour – अंतिम समय पर, बिलकुल समय सीमा के पहले
Deadline – The last time something is due (अंतिम समय सीमा) - SSC Steno 2022 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
At the eleventh hourAnswer & explanation
Answer: B) At the last moment
Correct Answer: At the last moment
Explanation:
• Idiom: At the eleventh hour
• Meaning: At the last possible moment (आख़िरी समय में)
• It is used when something happens just before a deadline or too late to be expected.
Example: He saved the match at the eleventh hour.
Hindi Example: उसने मैच को आख़िरी समय में बचाया। - SSC CGL 2020 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
At the eleventh hourAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) At the very last minute
Correct Answer: At the very last minute
Solution:
The idiom "At the eleventh hour" means at the very last possible moment, just before a deadline or too late to spare.
It is commonly used when something is done just in time or narrowly avoids being too late.
Options (2), (3), and (4) are literal interpretations of "eleventh hour", which are incorrect in idiomatic usage.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
idiom – a phrase with a figurative meaning different from its literal words – मुहावरा
at the eleventh hour – at the last moment – अंतिम समय पर / अंतिम क्षण में
deadline – the latest time by which something must be done – अंतिम तिथि - IB ACIO 2023 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Which of the following statements correctly uses the idiom 'at the eleventh hour’ by substituting the underlined words?
A. While organizing the event, we realized that we were running short of time.
B. The runner in the third place overtook the ones ahead of him at the last moment and won the race.
C. She believes in planning meticulously well in advance so that there is no exigency later.
D. He disturbed me late at night to inform me of his appointment as the Commissioner.Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Only B is correct
Explanation:
Meaning of “at the eleventh hour”:
➡️ At the very last possible moment before a deadline or event; just in time.
(आख़िरी क्षण पर / समय की सीमा समाप्त होने से ठीक पहले)
✅ Let’s go through each option:
A. While organizing the event, we realized that we were running short of time.
➡️ "Running short of time" means the time is almost gone.
But this is more general urgency, not specifically the final moment.
🔻 So, while similar, it’s not the exact substitute for “at the eleventh hour.”
🟥 Incorrect usage.
(Other option: “running short of time” = (समय की कमी होना))
B. The runner in the third place overtook the ones ahead of him at the last moment and won the race.
✅ “At the last moment”
Examples
- “He submitted his assignment at the eleventh hour.”
at the eleventh hour – questions
What is the meaning of at the eleventh hour in Hindi?
at the eleventh hour means “अंतिम समय पर” in Hindi. In English: At the last possible moment
What are the synonyms of at the eleventh hour?
Synonyms of at the eleventh hour: last minute, just in time, nick of time.
What is the opposite of at the eleventh hour?
Antonyms of at the eleventh hour: well in advance, ahead of time.
Has at the eleventh hour been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – at the eleventh hour has been asked 8 times in SSC exams: SSC CPO 2024 T-1, SSC Steno 2024 T-1, IB ACIO 2023 T-1, SSC CPO 2022 T-1, SSC Steno 2022 T-1, SSC GD 2022 T-1, SSC GD 2021 T-1, SSC CGL 2020 T-1.