last-ditch

American  

[last-dich, lahst-] / ˈlæstˈdɪtʃ, ˈlɑst- /

adjective

1. done finally in desperation to avoid defeat, failure, disaster, etc..

   a last-ditch attempt to avert war.

2. fought with every resource at one's command.

   a last-ditch battle for the pennant.

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last-ditch British  

noun

1. (modifier) made or done as a last desperate attempt or effort in the face of opposition

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Other Word Forms

• last-ditcher noun

Etymology

Origin of last-ditch

First recorded in 1905–10; last ¹ + ditch

Example Sentences

Whether the script is an attempt to make up for lost time or a last-ditch effort at staging a career resurgence, Nora isn’t interested.

From Salon

It also details the organiser's last-ditch attempts to secure Pride's future once it became clear the 2025 event had lost money.

From BBC

EU environment ministers will Tuesday make a last-ditch attempt to reassert the bloc's climate ambitions by nailing down key emissions targets in the run-up to the UN's climate summit in Brazil.

From Barron's

In July, he won a last-ditch appeal when the U.K.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’m making a last-ditch effort to make it work with a financial planner and marriage counselor.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• do-or-die
• frantic
• last-gasp