last-gasp

noun

1. (modifier) done in desperation at the last minute

   a last-gasp attempt to save the talks

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

In fact, following Brighton's last-gasp 2-1 victory on Sunday, City have now made their worst start to a Premier League campaign since the 2004-05 season - and no team in a 38-game campaign has recovered from their position to win the title.

From BBC

However, when he takes a step back, the last-gasp 3-2 win over Burnley has left him with plenty of puzzles to solve and issues to deal with – and some really are quite pressing.

From BBC

She came up with a last-gasp match-winning try against Ireland in this year's Six Nations, and her hat-trick against Wales took her international try-scoring record to 13 in 23 games.

From BBC

Caroline Drouin's missed last-gasp penalty allowed New Zealand to escape 25-24 in the semi-final.

From BBC

Jack van Poortvliet scored a last-gasp try to hand England a dramatic victory in the second Test and an impressive 2-0 series win over Argentina.

From BBC

Related Words

• do-or-die 
• frantic 
• last-gasp