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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 will drop out of the World Cup if they lose the match, but many are hopeful of something like the team's last-gasp win against the Democratic Republic of Congo last week.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

Speaking at his post-match news conference, Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic refused to give detailed thoughts about his side being denied a last-gasp equaliser.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026

But the 29-year-old's place in Germany's World Cup squad was far from certain after a public row with Nagelsmann following his last-gasp winner as a substitute against Ghana in March.

From BBC ● Jun. 21, 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

The 28-year-old, who himself claimed pole at the opening race of the year in Australia, likened his last-gasp lap to "scoring a goal in football".

From BBC ● May 23, 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

When billionaire Ted Turner made his last gasp effort to thwart the WWE’s nationwide dominance via his World Championship Wrestling promotion, he made Hogan his star attraction in a clear shot at McMahon.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2025

But the uproar is a sign of something ending—a last gasp from the era of the diligent, human reader who can tell the difference between a real book and a fake one.

From Slate ● May 21, 2025

The sun shines brightly, but the last gasp of winter air makes the day feel chilly.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Related Words

• do-or-die
• frantic
• last-gasp