Meaning – to be resolved, finalised at the final moment
In Context – We are so late on this project, it’s going to come down to the wire.
Origin – This expression has its origins in horse racing. A wire was placed across the finish line. The horse that hit the wire first won the race. If two horses are running neck to neck in a race, it will come down to the wire to determine which is the winner.
Idioms with a synonymous meaning – to come down to the final hour, to come down to the eleventh hours. We are so late in this project, it’s going to come down to the final hour.