Slang dictionary
25th hour
or twenty-fifth hour [twen-tee fifth ou-er]
黑料网 does 25th hour mean?
Something done at the听25th hour means it happens after time has run out, indicating听disarray, desperation, or urgency. 25th hour can also characterize something occurring at the last minute.
Where does 25th hour come from?
If you only had one 24-hour day to complete a task, and it took you 25 hours, well, it looks like you would run out of time. The term听25th hour plays on this concept of out-of-time urgency, and is often used similarly to听the eleventh hour.
One notable, early use of the term comes from a听1949 anti-war novel, 25th Hour, written by Romanian author Constantin Virgil Gheorghiu and听adapted to film in 1967. Concerning the atrocities of World War II, the novel takes its title from a fictional book a character is writing within it, called听The 25th Hour. Narrowly surviving World War II, this character believes the world will imminently descend into a World War III, with humanity reaching its metaphorical听25th hour听by destroying itself.
In contemporary culture, 25th hour听was also the name of a 2002 film by Spike Lee.听Based on a 2001 novel of the same name by David Benioff (who wrote Lee’s screenplay), 25th hour听follows a man who only has one day left until he will be sent to prison.
"25th Hour" is often hailed as one of Spike Lee's best films. See more of the director's incredible film career in posters:
— IndieWire (@IndieWire)
On a more playful note: on April Fool’s Day 2019, Timex “introduced” a watch that displayed 25 hours, compelling wearers to imagine what they could do if that had that proverbial extra hour in the day, that听25th hour.
Timex / Cision
Examples of 25th hour
Who uses 25th hour?
Outside of references to the various novels and film, 25th hour听can convey a sense of destruction or annihilation …
This is Earth's 25th hour.
Last week's story continues in an all-new episode of , tonight at 9/8c on .
— Fox43 News & Sports (@Fox43Knox)
It can also convey a sense of urgency or desperation, as of deal or decision made after a deadline.
Carmelo Anthony, VP of the NBPA says, "We were supposed to have a deal done weeks ago, and for this to happen at the 25th hour is tough."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne)
In most contexts,听25th hour is used much like the听eleventh hour, i.e., last-minute.
Still a part of me that wants Michelle Obama to throw her hat in the ring & run for president at the 25th hour like
— Matthew A. Cherry 馃弫 (@MatthewACherry)
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks agree to 4-year, $140 million extension. Wilson set a deadline and the Seahawks met it in the 25th hour, setting records in the process.
— FanSided (@FanSided)
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of 25th hour like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of 25th hour that will help our users expand their word mastery.