When something is 'down to the wire' it means to wait until the last possible minute to do or achieve something. This idiomatic expression is usually used to talk about meeting deadlines. Similar in meaning to 'at the last minute'.

1. This election is so close that it's hard to tell who's going to win. I think it's going to go right down to the wire.
2. It was down to the wire, but I did make my flight in the end.

1. The negotiations went down to the wire, but we managed to get the deal over the line before the deadline.
2. If we work through the night we will be able to deliver on time but it will be down to the wire.