last

last1 [ læst ] function word ***

Last can be used in the following ways:

as a determiner (followed by a noun):

I saw him last night.

I wasn't here last time.

as an adjective (after a determiner and before a noun):

My last job was in London.

I ate the last piece of cake. (after the verb to be ):

I was last in the race.

as a pronoun (after the ):

Their new CD is even better than the last.

And that was the last I saw of him.

as an adverb:

When did you see him last?

I put my shoes on last.

as a noun (followed by of ):

I drank up the last of the wine.

1. ) used for referring to the week, month, year, etc. that ended most recently:

last week/year/Saturday etc.: How did you boys sleep last night?

They expect growth of 4% over last year.

a ) used for referring to a period of time that has continued up to the present:

During the last hour we have been receiving reports of an explosion in the city center.

the last week/month/year etc.: Over the last 15 years there has been a 50% increase in the traffic on our roads.

b ) used for referring to a particular event, occasion, person, or thing that is the most recent one of its kind:

The last time we met both of us had just started new jobs.

They've had only one win in their last eight games.

I'm afraid I don't agree with that last comment.

I had my last child at home.

His next book will be even better than his last.

I last saw her three years ago.

c ) the night/week/year etc. before last the night/week/year etc. before the most recent one:

I haven't slept much since the night before last.

2. ) happening or coming at the end after all the others:

I swear this is the last cigarette I will ever smoke.

Fry the onions until crisp, and add them last.

Tonight's performance is the last in a series.

the last of: When the last of the trucks had gone by, the street was reopened.

be the last to do something: Janice was the last to leave.

Why am I always the last to find out about these parties?

the last someone sees/hears of: His airplane disappeared into the clouds, and that was the last we ever saw of him.

a ) last but not least used when you mention the final person or thing in a list, in order to say that they are equally important:

Last but not least, I want to thank my wife Laura for all her help during the campaign.

b ) next/second to last used for referring to the occasion, person, or thing that comes just before the last one in a series, list, or group:

Baker finished next to last in the 1500 meters race.

c ) last (of all) used for introducing a final remark or piece of information:

Last of all, let me remind you that our next meeting will be on June 24th.

3. ) used for referring to someone or something that remains after all the rest have gone, or to part of an amount that remains after the rest has been used:

I wouldn't marry him if he was the last man on earth.

the last surviving copy of the manuscript

I hope to be among the last four in the tournament.

the last of: He is the last of his generation.

Who wants the last of the ice cream?

4. ) used for emphasizing that someone or something is not at all likely, appropriate, or wanted in a particular situation:

The last thing we need is a tax increase.

Hurting you is the last thing I'd want to do.

I'm the last person you should be asking for advice.

at the last moment/minute

when it is almost too late:

She must have changed her mind at the last moment and decided not to come.

at (long) last

used for saying that something you have been waiting for finally happens:

I'm so glad to meet you at last.

Then at long last their wedding day finally arrived.

be the last word in something

to be the very best example of something:

My shoes may not be the last word in fashion but they're comfortable.

have the last word

1. ) to win an argument by making the last statement:

You always have to have the last word, don't you?

2. ) to make the final decision about something:

The president is the one who has the last word.

if it's the last thing I do SPOKEN

used for emphasizing that you are determined to do something:

I'll teach that boy some manners if it's the last thing I do.

the last I heard

used for giving the newest information you know about a particular subject:

The last I heard, she was expecting her second child.

last in, first out or last hired, first fired

used for saying that the person who started to work for an employer most recently should be the first to leave if the number of workers is reduced

last thing (at night)

at the end of the day before you go to bed:

I like to have a hot drink last thing at night.

leave/save/keep something for last

to delay dealing with or using something until you have dealt with or used all the other things:

Let's save the champagne for last.

on its last legs INFORMAL

old, in bad condition, and not likely to continue working:

The VCR is on its last legs I'm not sure if it will record.

on your last legs INFORMAL

1. ) very sick and not likely to live much longer

2. ) extremely tired

to the last FORMAL

right up until something ends or someone dies:

To the last he took pleasure in living.

=> HEAR, RESORT1, SEE1

last

last 2 [ læst ] verb ***

1. ) intransitive to continue existing or happening for or until a particular time:

The game lasted four hours.

last for/until/through etc.: The hearing is scheduled to last for two weeks.

The violence lasted until dawn the next morning.

a ) intransitive to continue existing or happening without changing or failing:

He woke up in a good mood, and I'm just hoping it will last.

These cars are built to last.

b ) intransitive or transitive to continue to be available or enough for what people need:

The water won't last long.

last for: The supplies would last for only another few days.

last someone a day/two months etc.: Sixty dollars usually lasted him about a week.

2. ) intransitive to continue to stay alive or be well, or to continue to be able to do a job, despite difficulties:

I can't last much longer without sleep.

He won't last long as captain if he upsets the rest of the team.

,last `out phrasal verb

1. ) transitive never passive to manage to stay alive for a particular period of time:

It doesn't look like she'll last out the night.

2. ) intransitive BRITISH to continue to be enough for what people need:

I doubt whether our money is going to last out.

last

last 3 [ læst ] noun count

a metal, wooden, or plastic model in the shape of a human foot, used by someone who makes shoes.