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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

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

Mee gained his reward before North fittingly had the final word when he strolled over for his second try and converted Arata's last-gasp score.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

The former Brighton striker has played just 56 minutes so far but already has three goals - including a last-gasp winner against Ivory Coast - and two assists to his name.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 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

I've ranked my top 10 below - a heady mix of last-gasp goals, all-round artistry and golden-gloved heroes.

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

At the tail-end of the technooptimist spike brought by President Barack Obama, this was the last gasp of Web 2.0.

From Salon ● Nov. 7, 2025

“I think it’s the last gasp of the curse of the Bambino,” Flemming joked.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2025

That sure was the last gasp of the 20th century, the future would say.

From Slate ● Jan. 20, 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