at the last minute

Sir Joseph had intended to join Captain Cook's second voyage but withdrew at the last minute, delaying departure and meaning that the date on the medals was incorrect.

The procedure would have been highly illegal and dangerous if Holt had followed through with it, but at the last minute, she refused.

Defence lawyers said she suffered a mental breakdown and wanted to die with her children but left the car at the last minute.

He was set to be the first person in the US to be executed for a murder related to "shaken baby syndrome", but legal challenges, prompted by some public outcry, paused the execution at the last minute last month.

He switched venues at the last minute to throw press off the scent, and confiscated the recordings.