(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!
The Finish Line - is a metaphor for success in the completion or accomplishment of a good deed, goal, or task. It is based on the concept that life is a journey, but your journey is a personal race, struggle, and the good fight to cross the finish line and receive your reward, medal, degree, decree, policy, process, procedure, or crown. Used In the writings of The RhymistGift and The Consummate Transitioner, based on the Bible scripture 2nd Timothy 4:7 (KJV).
My son crossed the finish line, he graduated from high school. She crossed the finish line in receiving her Master’s Degree. It was an arduous struggle, but Congress got the bill on climate change across the finish line. The only way to cross the finish line (have success) is to keep running your race and do not ever stop or give up!