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• last-gasp
  last-gasp

  noun

  (modifier) done in desperation at the last minute
• last gasp
  last gasp

  The moment before death; also, the end. For example, “Fight till the last gasp” (Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI, 1:2), or He was determined to stay at the party until the last gasp. This idiom alludes to taking one's last breath, literally (first example) or figuratively (second example). [Late 1500s]

last-gasp

British  

noun

1. (modifier) done in desperation at the last minute

   a last-gasp attempt to save the talks

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last gasp Idioms  

1. The moment before death; also, the end. For example, “Fight till the last gasp” (Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI, 1:2), or He was determined to stay at the party until the last gasp. This idiom alludes to taking one's last breath, literally (first example) or figuratively (second example). [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

last-gasp last gasp

England held on to beat Argentina in a chaotic match in the Nations Championship after the hosts had a last-gasp try controversially ruled out in Santiago del Estero.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

Messi and Mbappe both converted from 12 yards in the shootout, but maverick stopper Emi Martinez - who also denied Randal Kolo Muani a last-gasp winner - proved the Argentine hero.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Replacement Australia fly-half Ben Donaldson missed a last-gasp penalty as Ireland claimed a comeback bonus-point win in an enthralling Nations Championship contest in Sydney.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

Partey missed Ghana's last-gasp 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday after his country failed with an appeal against his Canadian visa rejection.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

These two sides are level on points in mid-table and, while Newcastle have beaten Fulham twice already this season, both those victories came through last-gasp goals in the 90th minute or later.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

That proved to be the last gasp for the American attack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

However, a pass interference penalty advanced the ball to the Marquez 39 and gave the Rams one last gasp with zeros on the clock.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 29, 2025

All these years later, Carrie waits for the show’s last gasp to wrestle with the question that has defined modern dating for millions of single people.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2025

Some here fear it's on its last gasp.

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2025

They jostled and bumped one another, laughing, stamping their feet against the cold snap that had surprised the city this week, the last gasp of winter before spring began in earnest.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Related Words

• do-or-die
• frantic
• last-gasp