buzzer

at the buzzer

1. In sports or similar competitions, literally immediately before a buzzer sounds to signal the end of a period, quarter, game, etc. Typically said of a score that occurs at this moment. It's so disappointing that the other team beat us by scoring a goal right at the buzzer. Whew, I said the right answer right at the buzzer.
2. By extension, at the last possible moment. Today's issue went to print right at the buzzer. Any more time and it would have been late.
See also: buzzer

moll buzzer

A thief, often a pickpocket, who targets women. My mother had her purse stolen by a moll buzzer today!
See also: buzzer, moll
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at the ˈbuzzer

(American English) at the end of a game or period of play: He missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer. The Eagles won at the buzzer 66-64.
A buzzer is an electrical device that makes a sound as a signal, for example to show that no time is left in a game.
See also: buzzer
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • at the buzzer
  • when the fat lady sings
  • literally
  • moll buzzer
  • cure
  • disease
  • a cure worse than the ailment
  • a cure worse than the disease
  • a treatment worse than the disease
  • ailment
References in periodicals archive
All four judges,David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, get to press the buzzer and secure an act.
BGT Golden Buzzer: What does it mean and who are the Golden Buzzer 2019 acts? The Golden Buzzer acts have yet to be confirmed on Britain's Got Talent, but what does the buzzer mean?
LOCHTER: There were plenty of double figure returns over 20 with R Farrell using white buzzers to gain his success.
Cat's whisker fetches seven and six
This is the second week in a row that a Filipino contestant received a Golden Buzzer in the talent show.
WATCH: 10-year-old Filipina singer gets Golden Buzzer in 'Asia's Got Talent'
The athletes in the "Ghalhum Gymnastics" team got the golden buzzer hit deservedly, as, despite their large number on stage, their audition had no mistakes.
Arab's Got Talent First Episode of 2019 Review: Ali Jaber Hits the Golden Buzzer (Video)
After receiving a standing ovation for his rendition of Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come', Alesha quickly pushed her golden buzzer and sent Lifford through to the live shows.
Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer controversy as Alesha Dixon puts her 'friend' and Artful Dodger star Lifford Shillingford into live shows; Angry viewers did not believe it was fair that Alesha pressed her golden buzzer for the chart-topping star
Terry Evans used a black buzzer for his three rainbows weighing 9.75lb and a hot head damsel nymph was the fly used by Liam Morris to bag four with a total weight of 13.5lb.
AROUND THE FISHERIES
Since there are only seven spots left in the competition, Seal's golden buzzer recipient will immediately find out their fate after the performance.
Heidi Klum Reunites With Seal In 'America's Got Talent'
Trout are taking in the surface film on patterns such as the F Fly, Shipman's and Shuttlecock Buzzer, but Bead Head Dawson's and Vivas have done well - and so has the orange blob.
Veterans practise skills with Fishing for Heroes; GAME ANGLING
Most boat anglers are getting double figure bags - one boat had 69 fish last week, all taken on buzzers! Fish are responding to almost static buzzer teams on 15-20ft leaders with fish rising in the water at the height of the hatch.
Trout boom
There are dozens of buzzer patterns, but the ones I have always had a soft spot for are the Shipman's buzzers in green, orange and burgundy.
Fishing: Water is abuzz
Paul Reid from Newmachar had his best day at Lochter fishing the beetle with a buzzer dropper and had 11 fish including a 9lb specimen.
Sub-surface strategies do the trick
Filipino-American singer Angelica Hale made history as the first contestant of 'America's Got Talent' (AGT) to earn two Golden Buzzer wins.
Fil-Am Angelica Hale makes history in 'America's Got Talent'
"America's Got Talent" Season 12 contestant Celine Tam recently thanked guest judge Laverne Cox for giving her the golden buzzer.
Celine Tam Thanks Laverne Cox For Golden Buzzer In 'AGT' 12
A buzzer pattern fished with a strike indicator has worked best and was responsible for six fish catches by John Davies and Dave Roberts and the five banked by Jason Williams and Max Williams.
FISHERIES EXTRA