last minute
An arbitrary (non-specific) point in time, too close to a deadline to reasonably begin a critical task.
I like to do everything at the last minute. It does tend to make me late for things, though.
VERB + MINUTE
last, take
MINUTE + VERB
pass, tick by
As we waited for the exam to start, the minutes passed slowly and nervously.
MINUTE + NOUN
hand
The minute hand was moving slowly as we waited for the test to begin.
PREP
after ~s
She fell asleep within minutes of arriving home from work.
for ~s
The children played in the garden for several minutes before coming inside for lunch.
in ~s
The doctor said she would be ready to see you in five minutes.
~s past
The bus arrives at ten minutes past nine every weekday morning.
~s to
The train leaves in five minutes to noon, so we need to hurry.
ADJ
last
She finished her homework at the last minute before school started.
VERB + MINUTE
hang on, hold on, wait
Hold on a minute while I find your contact information in the system.
have, spare
I need to ask my boss if she can spare a minute to discuss the project deadline.
take
I need to grab some coffee, so this will take a minute.
PREP
in a ~
The doctor said she would see me in a minute after she finished with another patient.
within ~s
The doctor said the test results would be ready within minutes.
PHRASES
just a minute, the minute sth happens
I'll call you back in just a minute—I'm finishing up this email.
not for a minute
She didn't believe for a minute that her son had cleaned his room by himself.
this minute
You need to finish your homework this minute or you'll miss dinner.
VERB + MINUTE
keep, take
Sarah offered to keep the minutes during our monthly team meeting yesterday.
circulate | read | agree, approve, sign
write up
She always writes up the minutes within an hour of each team meeting.
PHRASES
the minutes of a meeting