bring up the rear

1. Be last in a line or sequence, as in As a slow walker, I'm used to bringing up the rear, or In test results Tom always brought up the rear. This term almost certainly came from the military but the earliest citation given by the Oxford English Dictionary is from a 1643 religious treatise by Sir Thomas Browne: “My desires onely are . . . to be but the last man, and bring up the Rere in Heaven.”

Example Sentences

That’s why, when you look at the chart, fruits and nuts bring up the rear, with something like 1 percent of the climate impact of beef.

From Washington Post

Durand and two others would bring up the rear.

From Seattle Times

The counties with the highest death rates bring up the rear in getting vaccinated.

From Seattle Times

“Dylan will lead now. I’ll bring up the rear.”

From Literature

Torch runners - there are 10,000 in total - typically bring up the rear amid blaring music and banter from DJs.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• chase 
• fall behind 
• falter 
• lag 
• pull