Wiktionary

last-ditch

See also: last ditch

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Popularized and given its current sense through an 1847 translation by Agnes Strickland of a quote attributed to William of Orange during the French invasion of 1672 on his being advised to surrender Holland to Louis XIV: "No, I mean to die in the last ditch."

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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last-ditch

  1. (idiomatic) Final, as a last resort; done in desperation.
    a last-ditch attack
    He sent flowers in a last-ditch effort to keep her from leaving.
    • 2011 January 15, Sam Sheringham, “Chelsea 4 - 3 Blackburn Rovers”, in BBC‎[1]:
      Only a last-ditch tackle from Michel Salgado denied Didier Drogba after a clever through-ball from Anelka and, from the resulting corner, Ivanovic flicked the ball on for Ramires, who lashed a half-volley against the bar.
    • 2022 June 29, Paul Stephen, “Network News: Strikes set to escalate as RMT issues rallying call”, in RAIL, number 960, page 6:
      That's the warning from RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch, who has predicted that industrial action could soon spill over into other sectors of the economy, following the failure of last-ditch talks to avert the largest rail strike since 1989.
    • 2024 June 20, David Hytner, “Hjulmand rocket earns Denmark draw as England struggle after Kane opener”, in The Guardian‎[2]:
      There was a last-ditch quality to England’s defending and when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg shaped a curler for the far corner in the 85th minute, England’s hearts were in their mouths. The shot was off target.

Usage notes

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Often in the phrase last-ditch attempt or last-ditch effort.

Derived terms

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Translations

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See also

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References

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