Note: in BRIT, also use 'home straight'
1.
The ~ or the home straight is the last part of a race.
Holmes matched Boulmerka stride for stride down the home straight to finish second.
N-SING: the N
2.
You can refer to the last part of any activity that lasts for a long time as the ~ or the home straight, especially if the activity is difficult or boring.
...as his two hours of banter, quips and anecdotes goes into the home straight.
N-SING: the N