until the last

until the last

To the very last possible moment; until something ends or concludes. He fought the disease until the last, but the doctors just couldn't keep the cancer at bay any longer. She campaigned until the last, trying to drum up more support just hours before voters headed to the polls. A fierce civil rights advocate until the last, the late-bishop left an indelible mark on the fight for equality.
See also: last, until
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • until the last dog is hung
  • stay up until
  • stay up until (some hour)
  • wait for it
  • carry over to/until (some day or time)
  • wait-and-see
  • wait and see
  • until then
  • keep until (some point in time)
  • keep until some time
References in classic literature
You will find that my maid thoughtfully kept her letter open until the last moment before post-time -- without, however, having any later news to give me than that Mrs.
No Name
After he had left I stood and talked with Dejah Thoris, and she stretched her dear hand through those cruel bars that I might hold it until the last moment.
The Gods of Mars
Sour apples are there, no doubt, whose lot is to wait until the last day of autumn: and at the same time they become ripe, yellow, and shrivelled.
Thus Spake Zarathustra
She did not care to live unless she might find her way back to her own child, but slight as such a hope appeared she would not admit its impossibility until the last moment had come, and she faced the fearful reality of choosing between the final alternatives--Nikolas Rokoff on one hand and self-destruction upon the other.
The Beasts of Tarzan
The Marriage-Settlement, the Will, the presence of the family at his country house--all these he believed to be so many stratagems invented to keep him deceived until the last moment.
Miss or Mrs
JIM GAVIN insisted he expected Cork to produce the challenge that had Dublin's first Super 8s game of this summer in the balance until the last 10 minutes.
GOLDEN GENERATION; Blues given Super
He said: "The reality is that if you want to be champions of the league, you have to fight until the last matchday.
Klopp: Time to fasten seatbelts in title race
Panelo added that the President's anti-drug campaign would be enforced until the last day of his term to ensure a safer environment.
Palace: Filipinos 'safer' with gov't's fight vs illegal drugs, crime
After having suffered heartbreaks in two Asia Cup finals in the past, Bangladesh will be fighting until the last ball to win their first major trophy when they take on India in Friday's final in Dubai.
We will fight until the last ball against India, says Bangla captain Mashrafe
Some relief was felt until the last week when reserves were briefly on the rise after receiving loans from China.
Reserves down $216m
"That I will never forget as they did what great fans do - supporting their manager unconditionally until the last day."
MAY THE BEST MAN; FORGET WINDSOR.. BIG MATCH IS AT WEMBLEY FA CUP FINAL: CHELSEA v MAN UTD PAGES 54-59 F HMG CH PAG; I DO Jose expects abuse but roars: Bring it on!Jose not bothered by abuse
Preparations for the 2018 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will continue until the last racing week, Nigar Arpadarai, head of Marketing and Communications Department at Baku City Circuit, told Trend April 9.
Baku City Circuit rep talks preparations for F1 Azerbaijan
And that war in Marawi will continue until the last terrorist is taken out," Duterte told residents of Davao del Sur at the Davao del Sur Coliseum, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the province, Minda News reported.
Duterte: War on ISIL in Marawi to Continue until Last Terrorist Taken out
The Arsenal manager spoke about making sure his team stayed professional until the last day of the season so that they "could look themselves in the mirror" that they had done their best.
'Holiday' moans from Wenger