pis aller

[pee za-ley]

noun

French.

1. the last resort or the final resource.

pis aller

/ piz ale /

noun

1. a last resort; stopgap

Word History and Origins

Origin of pis aller¹

literally: (at) the worst going

Example Sentences

If pis aller sounds ominous, well, it is.

From Golf Digest

When I wouldn't take her place, a pis aller merely.

From Project Gutenberg

I don't offer you my work as a pis aller.

From Project Gutenberg

Substitutes for butcher’s meat too often suggest the purely vegetarian dish that to most people is but a pis aller.

From Project Gutenberg

It was nothing to either Herbert or me, for we both found Mrs. Day a much more lively pis aller in conversation than Eleanor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• Band-Aid