hurdle

fall at the final hurdle

To fail to accomplish some task or goal at the very end of the attempt. Negotiations between the two warring countries fell at the final hurdle due to disagreements over cross-border taxation.
See also: fall, final, hurdle

fall at the first hurdle

To fail to accomplish some task or goal at the very beginning of the attempt. John had his business plan all laid out, but he fell at the first hurdle when the bank refused to grant him a loan.
See also: fall, first, hurdle

fall at the last hurdle

To fail to accomplish some task or goal at the very end of the attempt. Negotiations between the two warring countries fell at the last hurdle due to disagreements over cross-border taxation.
See also: fall, hurdle, last
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • fall at the final hurdle
  • fall at the last hurdle
  • fall at the first hurdle
  • a committee is a group of men who keep minutes and waste hours
  • group
  • stick at nothing
  • rise to the challenge
  • rise to the occasion/challenge
  • do (something) blindfolded
  • do blindfolded
References in periodicals archive
Apple's Jade and Laurina could both have run in this year's Mares' Hurdle, as could Verdana Blue.
Mares could leave us all waking up with a smile; LEADING LADIES
Henderson's Angels Breath jostles with AL DANCER at the head of the market for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.30), but preference is for the Nigel Twiston-Daviestrained six-year-old.
DON'T YOU, D'AIR; NEWSBOY'S TOP FESTIVAL TIPS; Buveur will see off all-comers to bag Champion Hurdle hat-trick but watch out for the Dancer's smooth moves on Supreme Tuesday
MARCHESE MARCONI FOUR-TIME winner on the flat and twice over hurdles. Third to Alisier D'Irelande on his chasing bow at Leopardstown.
O'HEHIR'S FIVE TO FOLLOW
With last year's brilliant winner Faugheen suffering a season-ending injury a month ago, Annie Power was called up as the apparent super-sub and after being supplemented at a cost of PS20,000, she bids to become the first mare since Flakey Dove in 1994 to claim Champion Hurdle glory.
Annie has pace Power
Prior to that, On Tour had annexed another handicap hurdle at Stratford in October and a novices' hurdle at Newton Abbot in September, both over two miles and three.
Williams hunting Tour place for Cheltenham trial
But after he ran a fine race to be touched off by Reve De Sivola in the Cleeve Hurdle over three miles, the World Hurdle is now preferred over another crack at the Champion Hurdle, in which he finished third in 2011.
World Hurdle tip for Oscar Whisky
The Cleeve is the next race for Oscar Whisky after his planned run in the Centaur Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham on New Year's Day was ruined by the weather.
Henderson looking for big clues on ace Whisky
The first six in the bookmakers' ante post for Champion Hurdle - current 3-1 favourite Harchibald, Back In Front (13-2 Coral), Accordion Etoile (9-1 William Hill, Totesport), last year's winner Hardy Eustace (10-1 Coral), Macs Joy (10-1 Coral, Bet Direct) and the 2004 Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle victor Brave Inca (12-1 Coral, Bet Direct) - were part of a 12-strong contingent from the Emerald Isle at yesterday's first entry stage.
RACING: Ireland lead the way for Cheltenham
3 Step Under: Raise the first hurdle and every alternate hurdle there-after to a height of 42 inches.
Dynamic warm-up/flexibility
Scientists at Thammasat University (Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Klong Luang District, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand) are applying hurdle technology to extend the shelf life of Thai red curry paste and Pad-Thai concentrate.
Apply hurdle technology to curry paste
Pitman will also be running the promising Hitman, fourth in the Bonusprint Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, at Kempton over Christmas.
Racing Pitman's purring over Park chances
At that time, 16% of the companies surveyed used hurdle rates of 5% to 7%, 50% used hurdle rates of 8% to 11% and 34% used hurdle rates of 13% or more.
High hurdle rates keeping a lid on capital spending
type, speed hurdles are classified as a step hurdle, adjustable hurdle, agility cone hurdle, self-return hurdle, bounce back hurdle & collapsible hurdle.
Speed hurdle Market: Segmentation, Industry trends and Development to 2028
IDENTITY THIEF is on course to clash with Penhill, winner of the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month, at Punchestown next week.
Identity and Penhill set for Punchestown clash
For Su SSTTem Vis Wi Forecast: Sunny at times Temp: 11o Visibility: Good Wind: From SSW 1.30 Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2.10 Arkle Challenge Trophy (2017: Altior 1/4 fav, below) 2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase 3.30 Unibet Champion Hurdle 4.10 OLBG Mares' Hurdle 4.50 NH Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase 5.30 Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase
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