last-gasp

British  

noun

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

   a last-gasp attempt to save the talks

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last gasp Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

PSG pressed for a winner, sending on Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele who set up a last-gasp chance for Marquinhos.

From Barron's

Despite not starting a match, her contributions were huge, with another successful penalty in the quarter-final shootout and a last-gasp semi-final winner.

From BBC

And, to make matters worse for Slot and Liverpool, it came after Salah had spent a third successive Premier League game sitting on the bench, this time watching them concede a last-gasp equaliser to draw 3-3 at Leeds United after at one point leading 2-0.

From BBC

Steve Tandy's reign has started with three heavy autumn defeats to South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina and a last-gasp win against Japan.

From BBC

The 45-year-old former Ospreys boss has suffered significant defeats against Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa, alongside a one-point last-gasp win against Japan courtesy of a late Jarrod Evans penalty.

From BBC

Related Words

• do-or-die
• frantic
• last-gasp