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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

They kept having a go and got back from 3-1 to 3-3 in the final few minutes before Villa's last-gasp winner.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

And last year England overtook France, as Elliot Daly glided in for a decisive last-gasp try in a 26-25 victory.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

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

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

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 • Feb. 21, 2026

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 • Feb. 12, 2026

Related Words

• do-or-die
• frantic
• last-gasp