In the nick of time

Meaning

The idiom "in the nick of time" is used to describe an action or event that occurs just before something else happens, often in a timely manner or at the last possible moment. The phrase suggests that the action or event was so close to happening that it almost missed its chance, and that it happened just in time to prevent a potential disaster or to take advantage of an opportunity.

Usage

• John arrived at the hospital in the nick of time to see his wife give birth to their first child.
• The firefighters arrived on the scene in the nick of time to put out the blaze before it spread to other buildings.
• Sarah finished her project just in time to submit it before the deadline.
• The plane landed safely in the nick of time, with only a few minutes to spare.
• John's car broke down on the highway in the middle of rush hour, but he was able to get help in the nick of time and make it to his job on time.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of the phrase "in the nick of time" can be traced back to the 15th century, where it appeared in a collection of proverbs by John Heywood. The idiom comes from the phrase "in the nick of time," which refers to a moment when something happens so quickly or unexpectedly that it almost missed its chance. The idea of an action or event happening just in time to prevent a disaster or take advantage of an opportunity has been used in literature and everyday speech for centuries.

Synonyms in English

• Just in time
• In the knick of time
• In the clutch of time
• At the last minute
• On time

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish - En el último momento
• French - À l'heure du moment
• German - Im späten Moment
• Italian - All'ultimo momento
• Dutch - In het laatste moment

Similar Idioms

• as soon as

• in tandem

• time after time