Jump To:

• 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

---

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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

last-gasp last gasp

England held on to beat Argentina in a chaotic match in the Nations Championship after the hosts had a last-gasp try controversially ruled out in Santiago del Estero.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

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

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

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

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

Some here fear it's on its last gasp.

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2025

It was the last gasp of a time when the divide between consumer and star was not only hyper-delineated but also rarely crossed.

From Slate ● Nov. 30, 2024

With its last gasp of life, the drone pulled up, narrowly missing the windows but crashing onto the roof of the control tower.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown

Related Words

• do-or-die
• frantic
• last-gasp