the wire
noun
US
: a thin piece of string that the winner of a race breaks through at the end of the race
The marathon ended in a sprint to the wire by the two top runners.
—often used figurativelyThe election went/came (right) down to the wire.
Examples of the wire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So, while the Ravens have all the momentum (and are a double-digit favorite), don’t be surprised if this one goes down to the wire.
—
The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
The casting of Older Elliott really came down to the wire.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet, placing the tenderloin on the wire rack.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 24 Dec. 2024
Sure, there will always be a division race that goes to the wire no matter how many weeks are played but Week 18 was anticlimactic.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the wire 
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The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
The casting of Older Elliott really came down to the wire.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet, placing the tenderloin on the wire rack.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 24 Dec. 2024
Sure, there will always be a division race that goes to the wire no matter how many weeks are played but Week 18 was anticlimactic.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the wire
Dictionary Entries Near the wire
Cite this Entry
“The wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20wire. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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