Squeaky bum time

Meaning
The tense, final stages of a competition.

Origin
This curious phrase emerged in the UK during the final stages of the 2003 Premiership football league, when arch-rivals Arsenal and Manchester United were both in contention to win the league. The coinage is commonly attributed to United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson and is often cited as an example of the notorious 'mind-games' indulged in by him and his opposing manager, Arsene Wenger. The allusion is, of course, to the sound made by squirming in one's seat as one's team's fortunes wax and wane.



Squeaky bum time indeed for Fergi and his co. of devious minions, because Liverpool have edged their butts ahead of manure. 1-1 against Villa at HT, come on you Villans!