Wordxplr

The meaning and origin of interesting English phrases

On the home stretch

Meaning

Nearing the final part or stage of a task, project, or journey.

Origin

The exhilarating phrase 'on the home stretch' gallops directly from the world of horse racing, where it describes the final, straight section of the track leading to the finish line. As horses turn into this decisive leg of the race, jockeys and their mounts pour every last ounce of energy into a final, all-out sprint, with the crowd roaring anticipation. It's the moment when victory is either seized or lost, a thrilling dash to the very end that captures the essence of a project or journey nearing its triumphant conclusion.

Examples

  • After months of hard work, we're finally on the home stretch with this project, just a few more edits to go.
  • The marathon runner pushed harder, knowing he was on the home stretch and the finish line was just ahead.
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