(Tripping at
the finish line. Trip at the finish line)
An idiom describing a situation where one does great at a subject, until near the end.
Note : To stay true to the meaning, the mistake has to have a great
detrimental effect their overall
performance.
Jake : Wow, Samantha is an amazing student! She has
perfect attendance, she always seems to have
the right answers, she turns in her homework everyday, and she aces all of the quizzes.
Tammy : Yeah, but didn't you hear? She completely failed
the finals. She totally tripped at the finish line!