last resort

Idioms  

1. A final expedient or recourse to achieve some end or settle a difficulty. For example, If you don't improve, we'll try this new medication as a last resort. This term originally referred to a court of law from which there was no appeal. [Late 1600s]

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Example Sentences

A California appeals court this month turned down an effort by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to force the state’s insurer of last resort to add more coverage to its basic fire policies.

From Los Angeles Times

Some have filed lawsuits against the California Fair Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, accusing it of illegally withholding smoke-damage payments.

From Los Angeles Times

In this high-risk area, many residents were covered by the state's insurer of last resort, and their compensation is too meager to rebuild homes that often cost more than a million dollars.

From Barron's

Stock is issued as a last resort or opportunistically in overheated markets.

From Barron's

The company faces a $100-million debt payment deadline at the end of December and is considering Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a last resort, Bloomberg said.

From Los Angeles Times