last-gasp

last-gasp

Final, usually drastic or risky, with failure as the only alternative. The home team is mounting one last-gasp attempt in the final seconds of the game to try to force an overtime showdown. In a last-gasp effort to avoid a government shutdown, congress has pushed forward a new spending bill.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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]
See also: gasp, last
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • last gasp
  • last-gasp effort
  • last-ditch
  • last burst of fire
  • one final word
  • final call
  • the final curtain
  • a last-ditch stand/attempt/effort
  • attempt
  • the last gasp of (something)
References in periodicals archive
Craig Noone fires home Cardiff City's equaliser before their last-gasp heartache at MK Dons on Saturday
Why Watt's the answer, frustrating repeats and a sackful of pressure; the things you chatted to your mates about after the game
THE LATE, LATE SHOW: Peter Thompson celebrates after his stunning last-gasp winner
HERO THOMMO LIFTS LINFIELD; ROUND-UP
f ff hope of o victory before McLaren's last-gasp heroof o heroics.
Mac Ryan mighty
United host West Ham United on Wednesday in a third-round FA Cup replay after snatching a last-gasp draw with a Robin van Persie equaliser at Upton Park in their previous encounter, the Sun reports.
'Little Pea' Hernandez in love with Man U's 'never say die' attitude
ANDRE Villas-Boas admits it is up to him to turn Chelsea's season around after his side crashed to another last-gasp defeat that left them in real danger of failing to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase.
Andre admits to responsibility
1 MICHAEL Tuohy's last-gasp effort handed Leamington a share of the opening day's spoils.
Tuohy blasts Brakes to opening point; EVO STICK PREMIER
A last-gasp Francis Meli try and nerveless conversion from Jamie Foster earned St Helens a dramatic 22-20 victory over Castleford.
Battling Hull stun Wolves
Summary: Record singing Asamoah Gyan got Steve Bruce's Sunderland out of jail with a last-gasp equaliser to deny Newcastle a derby double.
Last-gasp Gyan brings relief for Bruce
Summary: Egypt snatched a last-gasp goal to secure a 2-0 victory over Algeria on Saturday and force a playoff against their opponents to decide the final African place in the 2010 World Cup finals.
Last-gasp Egypt goal forces playoff with Algeria
PM Netanyahu issues last-gasp warning to UN Human Rights Council not to endorse the Goldstone report, saying such a move would bolster terrorism.
Netanyahu Warns UN Against Accepting Goldstone Report
HEDNESFORD Town conceded a last-gasp equaliser to draw with FC United of Manchester and slip out of the UniBond Premier play-off places.
Pitmen draw no comfort; UNIBOND LEAGUE
The Freddie Head-trained Marchand D'Or leapt to the head of the sprinters' category after his last-gasp success in the July Cup took him to 48 points, eight more than Equiano, who won the King's Stand Stakes for Spain before joining Barry Hills.
Marchand D'Or tops Cartier sprint list
TURKEY striker Colin Kazim-Kazim is adamant the last-gasp goal which sent Germany into the Euro 2008 final on Sunday should not have counted.
Turkey blast for bad sports
Palace suffered a last-gasp 2-1 defeat in the home leg on Saturday but Warnock says the tie is far from over.
FOOTBALL SHORTS: Warnock warning; PLAY-OFFS
Martin O'Neill could be forgiven for his muscle man impression as he jumps for joy after Villa's last-gasp win over Birmingham City yesterday.
Martin O'Neill could be forgiven