fag end

American  

noun

1. the last part or very end of something.

   the fag end of a rope.

2. the unfinished end of a piece of cloth; remnant.

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fag end British  

noun

1. the last and worst part, esp when it is of little use

2. informal the stub of a cigarette

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Etymology

Origin of fag end

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

But at the fag end of the year the boom evaporated, and, coupled with lower demand from China, led to a pile-up of unsold chips at distributors and retailers.

From Reuters • Feb. 15, 2019

A single question at the fag end of an extended PMQs is not a commanding position from which to address the nation.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2017

However, since the deal was announced only towards the fag end of the quarter, we don’t expect it to have helped Akamai’s margins this quarter.

From Forbes • Feb. 7, 2012

Photograph: Tom Hevezi/AP It felt like the fag end of the summer at The Oval today, the pale September sun doing nothing to mask the chill breeze blowing across the ground.

From The Guardian • Sep. 17, 2010

He had spent more diverting evenings, but there was a good chance that the fag end of this one would be lively enough to compensate.

From Oh, You Tex! by Raine, William MacLeod

Related Words

• back end
• rear
• rudder