bring up the rear

Idioms  

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.”

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Example Sentences

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

From Washington Times

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

From Seattle Times

His manager insisted he couldn’t “snub the academy,” so Murphy agreed to present the award, but added: “I just want you to know that I’m gonna give this award, but black people will not ride the caboose of society, and we will not bring up the rear anymore. I want you to recognize us.”

From Washington Post

The departures of left tackle Laremy Tunsil, receiver Kenny Stills and linebacker Kiko Alonso - who made a combined 137 starts in 2016-18 for the Dolphins - increases the likelihood they’ll bring up the rear this year.

From Washington Times

The departures of left tackle Laremy Tunsil, receiver Kenny Stills and linebacker Kiko Alonso — who made a combined 137 starts in 2016-18 for the Dolphins — increases the likelihood they’ll bring up the rear this year.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• chase
• fall behind
• falter
• lag
• pull