last

be the last word be the most fashionable or up-to-date.

1989Life Thanks to a built-in microchip, Teddy Ruxpin became the last word in talking dolls.

breathe your last: seebreathe.

die in the last ditch: seedie.

every last: seeevery.

famous last words: seefamous.

have the last laugh: seelaugh.

have the last word

1 make or have the right to make the final decision or pronouncement about something.

2 carry out a final and conclusive action in a process or course of events.

(drinking) in the last chance saloon having been allowed one final opportunity to improve or get something right. informal

1998Times Gascoigne has finally found himself in the Last Chance Saloon.

in the last resort: seeresort.

last but not least last in order of mention or occurrence but not of importance.

last hurrah a final act, performance, or effort, especially in politics. chiefly US

☞ The expression comes from the title of a novel (1956) by Edwin O'Connor about a US city boss.

the last of the Mohicans the sole survivor(s) of a particular race or kind.

☞ The Last of the Mohicans is the title of an 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851). The Mohicans, also spelled Mohegans, were an Algonquian people who formerly inhabited the western parts of the US states of Connecticut and Massachusetts.

the last roundup: seeroundup.

the last straw: seestraw.

last thing late in the evening, especially as a final act before going to bed.

on your last legs near the end of life, usefulness, or strength.

1987Eric NewbyRound Ireland in Low Gear It is certainly difficult to imagine how anyone who is in any way infirm, and some of the pilgrims who make the climb are literally on their last legs, can reach the top.

pay your last respects: seepay.

stick to your last confine your activities to the area you have personal knowledge of or skill in.

☞ The expression derives from the proverb 'The cobbler should stick to his last', a last being a shoemaker's model for shaping or repairing a shoe.

your last gasp: seegasp.