Low clouds forced the space agency to scrub a launch attempt Thursday night during a countdown that ran down to the wire.
2006-12-09 15:08:38 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It means at the last possible moment.
2006-12-09 15:24:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Ran down to the wire" means that they waited until the countdown reached one of the pre-set decision points. If the weather wasn't good enough for launch, it would be postponed when reaching that point.
Generally, it means making a decision at the last minute.
2006-12-09 15:15:30 · answer #2 · answered by Brad 56 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ran down to the wire means it got to the point in time where the lauch had to take place or be cacelled. It basically means we almost ran out of time.
2006-12-09 15:22:05 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"He carried an oxygen tank and a hose that ran down his sleeve." Should read like that, or "He carried an oxygen tank and a hose that runs down his sleeve." The sentence is not clear about under shirt sleeve or on top of sleeve.
2016-03-29 01:32:39 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To the wire means to the end. It is a horse racing term, where the wire is the end of the race.
2006-12-09 15:13:47 · answer #5 · answered by Suzie Q 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In that particular sentence it means the lift off countdown was almost at "liftoff" before they cancelled takeoff for that day.
2006-12-09 15:17:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if this helps but--I think that "going to the wire" means risking your reputation in order to help someone.
2006-12-09 15:12:06 · answer #7 · answered by duncefremen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋