When it comes to completing tasks, it's best to avoid waiting until the last minute. However, if you find yourself in a situation where time is running out, here are some synonyms for "the last minute" that may come in handy. You can use the phrase "eleventh hour," which means the latest possible moment before it's too late. "Last-ditch effort" refers to a final attempt to achieve something after all else has failed. "Hail Mary" is a term used in American football to describe a desperate long pass made in the final moments of a game, but it can also be used more broadly to describe a last-minute attempt to save a situation.