last resort
The only remaining, often least desirable, option when all others have been excluded.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We use the stairs only as a last resort.”
“After trying every other repair method, we used the expensive new part as a last resort.”
“The government viewed the implementation of strict economic sanctions as a last resort to resolve the escalating diplomatic crisis.”
- 01
breathe one's last
To die.
- 02
cobbler, keep to your last
One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.
- 03
dead last
Finishing in last place in a competition or ranking, often by a considerable margin to the next to last place finisher or after an exceptionally poor showing or season.
- 04
draw one's last breath
To die.
- 05
every last
every; without exception (used for emphasis).
- 06
fall at the last hurdle
To fail near the end of an activity, a project, etc.
- 07
first and last
A person's combined given name and surname.
- 08
have seen one's last gum tree
Of a person, on the edge of death.
Last updated August 10, 2026