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

The playoff-chasing Orlando Magic edged another thriller against the Dallas Mavericks thanks to last-gasp heroics by Jalen Suggs.

From Barron's

They fought back to 2-2, and although they still lost to a last-gasp Phil Foden goal, that performance transformed them - they've been a different team in recent weeks compared with the way they started the season.

From BBC

Jarrett Allen scored 27 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Cleveland, but his last-gasp effort that would have forced overtime was ruled to have left his hand after the buzzer.

From Barron's

Finland eased the heartbreak of their last-gasp semi-final loss by winning the Olympic men's ice hockey bronze medal match 6-1 against Slovakia on Saturday.

From Barron's

IOC president Kirsty Coventry visited Heraskevych and his father in Cortina at 7.30am on the morning of competition, to make a last-gasp plea for him to not wear the helmet.

From BBC

Related Words

• do-or-die
• frantic
• last-gasp