fell at the last hurdle
Failed near victory
To fall at the last hurdle is to fail at the final stage of an effort, after successfully completing everything before it.
The image comes from track and field, where a runner might clear every hurdle but trip on the last one and lose the race.
We had the contract ready to sign, but fell at the last hurdle when their board rejected the terms.
- collapseSudden structural failure
- raceCompetition of speed
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- finish lineRace completion marker
cruel twist · final stretch · home stretch · last minute · bitter end · frustration · defeat · contest · stumble · setback · regret · misstep · obstacle course · disappointment · choke · so close · challenge · discouragement
fell at the last hurdlewent the distance
Completed the full course
made it · stuck the landing · succeeded · triumphed · prevailed
fallen, fallout, lastly, lasting, lasted, hurdle, hurdles, hurdled, hurdling