They worked hard but fell at the last hurdle.
fall at the last hurdle
idiomTo fail near the end of an activity, a project, etc.
Origin
disputed originProbably from hurdling, a type of horse racing where horses jump over obstacles called hurdles. The term refers to a horse successfully clearing all but the last hurdle.
The team played well all season, but they fell at the last hurdle during the final championship game.
After months of meticulous preparation, the candidate unfortunately fell at the last hurdle when she failed to answer the final interview question.
- 01
breathe one's last
To die.
- 02
cobbler, keep to your last
One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.
- 03
dead last
Finishing in last place in a competition or ranking, often by a considerable margin to the next to last place finisher or after an exceptionally poor showing or season.
- 04
draw one's last breath
To die.
- 05
every last
every; without exception (used for emphasis).
- 06
fall apart
To be emotionally in crisis.
- 07
fall around
To fall over continually, especially through drunkenness, clumsiness, or incompetence.
- 08
fall asleep
To be affected by paresthesia; to go numb.