いよいよという時とき

Meanings

at the last moment; in the nick of time

Used when something happens just before a critical deadline or decisive moment, often with a sense of relief or urgency.

いよいよという時ときに電でん車しゃが遅おくれて、危あやうく遅ち刻こくするところだった。
The train was delayed at the last moment, and I almost ended up being late.
彼かれはいよいよという時ときになって、やっと本ほん気きを出だした。
He finally got serious at the very last moment.

See all 4 example sentences ›

Kanji

時time, hour
言say, word

Related words

ぎりぎり
ぎりぎり emphasizes being right at the limit (time, capacity, etc.), while いよいよという時 focuses on the critical moment itself, often implying a decisive event.
土ど壇たん場ば
土壇場 is a noun meaning 'the last moment' or 'the eleventh hour', often used in set phrases like 土壇場で. いよいよという時 is a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the buildup to that moment.

Written forms

いよいよという時とき
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
いよいよと言いう時とき
Variant with 言う written in kanji; less common but acceptable.

Etymology

Combination of the adverb いよいよ ('more and more; at last') + という (quoting particle) + 時 ('time'). Literally 'the time when (one says) it's finally here', referring to a long-awaited or decisive moment.