fall at the last hurdle
Almost-victory collapse
To fall at the last hurdle is to fail at the final stage of an effort, after having successfully navigated earlier challenges.
From horse racing, where a competitor might lead the race but stumble at the final obstacle.
The phrase emphasizes how close someone came to success: They'd secured funding and permits, then fell at the last hurdle when the contractor backed out.
- drop the ballFail at a critical moment
- crash and burnFail completely and visibly
- come up shortFail to meet expectations
- fall shortFail to reach standard
- miss the markFail to achieve aim
so close yet so far · agonizing · overconfidence · hit a snag · cruel · snatch defeat from the jaws of victory · cruel twist · stumbling block · choke · fumble the bag · barrier · pitfall · mental fatigue · frontrunner · heartbreak · self-doubt · crumble · resilience
fall at the last hurdlego the distance
Persist to completion
see it through · seal the deal · get over the line · stick the landing · pull it off
fallen, falling, falls, hurdle, befall, hurdles, hurdler, hurdling, befallen