- last-ditch
- `last-,ditch adjective only before nouna last-ditch attempt, effort, etc. is a final try at achieving something difficult, when many attempts have already failed
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
last-ditch — last ditcher, n. /last ditch , lahst /, adj. 1. done finally in desperation to avoid defeat, failure, disaster, etc.: a last ditch attempt to avert war. 2. fought with every resource at one s command: a last ditch battle for the pennant. [1905… … Universalium
last-ditch — UK US /ˌlɑːstˈdɪtʃ/ adjective [before noun] ► used to describe an act that is made at the end of a series of failures to solve a problem, and is not expected to succeed: last ditch effort/attempt »They are now involved in a last ditch attempt to… … Financial and business terms
last-ditch — adj a last ditch attempt/effort etc a final attempt to achieve something before it is too late ▪ The negotiators made a last ditch effort to reach an agreement … Dictionary of contemporary English
last-ditch — (adj.) on the last line of defense, 1715, attributed to William of Orange; if so, originally in a Dutch context. We have no space to enter into the detail of the heroic struggle maintained by the young stadtholder and his faithful Dutchmen; how… … Etymology dictionary
last-ditch — A last ditch attempt is a desperate attempt that will probably fail anyway … The small dictionary of idiomes
last-ditch — last ditch; last ditch·er; … English syllables
last-ditch — last′ ditch′ adj. constituting a final, desperate effort: a last ditch attempt to avert war[/ex] • Etymology: 1905–10 … From formal English to slang
last-ditch — [adj] last minute desperate, do ordie, eleventh hour, final, frantic, last chance, last gasp, last resort; concept 799 … New thesaurus
last-ditch — last try, desperate attempt, last resort In a last ditch attempt to save the marriage, he bought her a BMW … English idioms
last-ditch — [last′dich′] adj. made, done, used, etc. in a final, often desperate act of resistance or opposition … English World dictionary