last

be on its last legs (informal)

if a machine is on its last legs, it is in bad condition because it is old and it will probably stop working soon. We've had the same vacuum cleaner for twenty years now and it's on its last legs.

See also: leg

be on your last legs

1. to be going to die soon. It looks as if her grandfather's on his last legs now.

2. to be very tired, especially after a lot of physical activity or work. I'd just done fifteen miles and I was on my last legs.

See also: leg

be the last word in something

to be the best or most modern example of something. It's a nice enough restaurant and it's very reasonably priced but it's not exactly the last word in style.

See also: word

every man jack (of us/them) (old-fashioned, old-fashioned)

every single person. If you sack me the others will walk out too, every man jack of them. Every last man of us is ready to fight for their country.

See also: every, jack, man

Famous last words. (humorous)

something that you say in order to emphasize that what someone said is wrong or is very likely to be wrong. James assured me it was always sunny in Italy in June. Famous last words. It rained every day of our trip.

See also: word

the final/last straw

the last in a series of unpleasant events which finally makes you feel that you cannot continue to accept a bad situation. One night he came home drunk at 5 o'clock in the morning and that was the last straw. He'd been unhappy at work for a long time but the last straw came when he was refused promotion. Lucy leaving was the last straw for him and he pretty much gave up the will to live. (often + for)

See also: final, straw

have heard/seen the last of someone/something

if you have heard the last of someone or something unpleasant, they will not cause you any more problems in the future. It's a worrying problem and I dare say we haven't heard the last of it. (often negative) He's a very unpleasant man. I sincerely hope we've seen the last of him.

See also: hear, seen

have the final/last word

1. to say the last statement in a discussion or argument. Tim can't bear to lose an argument. He always has to have the last word.

2. to make the final decision about something. Our head chef has the final word on what is served each week. (usually + on)

See also: final, word

have the last laugh

to make someone who has criticized or defeated you look stupid by succeeding at something more important or by seeing them fail. They fired her last year but she had the last laugh because she was taken on by their main rivals at twice the salary.

See also: laugh

It was fun while it lasted.

something that you say when something good has ended but you are not sorry. I wouldn't have wanted more than 3 years at university, but it was fun while it lasted.

See also: fun, was

last but not least

something that you say before introducing the last person or thing on a list, meaning that they are equally important. This is Jeremy, this is Kath, and, last but not least, this is Artie. Right, I've got my money, my sunglasses and, last but not least, my lipstick.

See also: but, least

the last gasp of something (literary)

the end of a particular period or process. This period witnessed the decline and last gasp of the British Empire.

See also: gasp

a last hurrah (mainly American)

a final action or performance before someone finishes a job or activity. At 31, he knows this tournament may be his last hurrah.

the last of the big spenders (humorous)

something that you say when you are spending very little money or when someone else is spending very little money. Just an orange juice and some peanuts, please. The last of the big spenders!

See also: big

last-ditch

a last-ditch attempt to solve a problem is the final attempt that you make after you have failed several times to solve it. The gesture has been seen by many as a last-ditch attempt to win voters. (always before noun) The UN is trying to secure talks between the two sides in a last-ditch effort to avert war.

last-gasp

achieved at the last possible moment. And with only a minute left, Brinkworth scored a last-gasp equaliser bringing the score to 2-2. (always before noun)

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at (long) last

after much delay. The line of traffic began to move at last.

(it's) about time

it is high time

before last

before the most recent. The year before last, we moved to the farm.

Usage notes: used with periods of time, such as the day, the night, the week, the month, the year

See also: before

breathe your last

to die. Jay made the trip north to be with his mother when she breathed her last.

Usage notes: also used to describe the end of a organization, belief, or relationship: Amtrak may shortly breathe its last — without more funding, it may have to shut down next month.

See also: breathe

breathe your lastSee at: breathe easy

See also: breathe

every last

each. Every last bit of the meal was delicious.

Usage notes: used for emphasis: The lawyer explained every last detail of the contract.

See also: every

have the last laugh

to succeed when others thought you would not. The company fired her last year but she had the last laugh because she was hired by their main rival at twice the salary.

Usage notes: sometimes used with get: She said I'd never make it to college, but I got the last laugh.

See also: laugh

hear the last of someone/something

to not have to deal with someone or something again. It's uncertain whether we've heard the last of the harassment case. Few believe Northern Ireland has seen the last of its troubles.

See also: hear

last but not least

important, despite being mentioned at the end. The mall has sports and shoe and clothing stores and, last but not least, plenty of terrific places to eat.

See also: but, least

the last minute

the last possible opportunity for doing something. He always waits until the last minute to shop for presents.

Usage notes: used with until or till, as in the example, or with at: At the last minute, we found our tickets.

See also: minute

the last word in something

the best or most modern example of something. In the ‘70s, the magazine was widely viewed among young people as the last word in humor.

See also: word

on its last legs

about to stop working. We've had the same vacuum cleaner for twenty years now and it's on its last legs.

See also: leg