last

Universal Words determiner, adverb, noun, verb-see also LAST determiner 1 happening or coming after all other similar things or people: We caught the last bus home. * It's the last house on the left. * She was last to arrive. 2 [onlybeforenoun] most recent: last night / Tuesday / month / summer / year * her last book * This last point is crucial. 3 [onlybeforenoun] only remaining SYNFINAL: This is our last bottle of wine. * He knew this was his last hope of winning. * I wouldn't marry you if you were the last person on earth! 4 used to emphasize that sb/sth is the least likely or suitable: The last thing she needed was more work. * He's the last person I'd trust with a secret. IDIOMS be on your / its last legs to be going to die or stop functioning very soon; to be very weak or in bad condition the day, week, month, etc. before last the day, week, etc. just before the most recent one; two days, weeks, etc. ago: I haven't seen him since the summer before last. every last... every person or thing in a group: We spent every last penny we had on the house. have the last laugh to be successful when you were not expected to be, making your opponents look stupid in the last resort when there are no other possible courses of action: In the last resort we can always walk home. your / the last gasp the point at which you/sth can no longer continue living, fighting, existing, etc. the last minute / moment the latest possible time before an important event: They changed the plans at the last minute. * Don't leave your decision to the last moment. a / your last resort the person or thing you rely on when everything else has failed: I've tried everyone else and now you're my last resort. the last word (in sth) the most recent, fashionable, advanced, etc. thing: These apartments are the last word in luxury. moreatANALYSIS, BREATH, FAMOUS, LONGadj., MANn., STRAW, THING, WEEK, WORDn. adverb 1 after anyone or anything else; at the end: He came last in the race. * They arrived last of all. 2 most recently: When did you see him last? * I saw him last / I last saw him in New York two years ago. * They last won the cup in 1995. IDIOMS last but not least used when mentioning the last person or thing of a group, in order to say that they are not less important than the others: Last but not least, I'd like to thank all the catering staff. last in, first out used, for example in a situation when people are losing their jobs, to say that the last people to be employed will be the first to go moreatFIRSTadv. noun (the last) (plural the last) 1 the person or thing that comes or happens after all other similar people or things: Sorry I'm late-am I the last? * They were the last to arrive. 2 ~ of sth the only remaining part or items of sth: These are the last of our apples. IDIOMS at (long) last after much delay, effort, etc.; in the end SYNFINALLY: At last we're home! * At long last the cheque arrived. -< LASTLY hear / see the last of sb/sth to hear/see sb/sth for the last time: That was the last I ever saw of her. * Unfortunately, I don't think we've heard the last of this affair. the last I heard (spoken) used to give the most recent news you have about sb/sth: The last I heard he was still working at the garage. to / till the last until the last possible moment, especially until death: He died protesting his innocence to the last. moreatBREATHE, FIRSTn. verb 1 linking verb [V] (not used in the progressive tenses) to continue for a particular period of time: The meeting only lasted (for) a few minutes. * Each game lasts about an hour. * How long does the play last? 2 to continue to exist or to function well: [V] This weather won't last. * He's making a big effort now, and I hope it lasts. * [VN] These shoes should last you till next year. 3 ~ (sth) (out) to survive sth or manage to stay in the same situation, in spite of difficulties: [V] She won't last long in that job. * Can you last (out) until I can get help? * [VN] Doctors say that she probably won't last out the night (= she will probably die before the morning). * He was injured early on and didn't last the match. 4 ~ (sb) (out) to be enough for sb to use, especially for a particular period of time: [V] Will the coffee last out till next week? * We've got enough food to last (for) three days. * [VN] We've got enough food to last us (for) three days. ______________________________ WHICHWORD? last / take Last and take are both used to talk about the length of time that something continues. Last is used to talk about the length of time that an event continues: How long do you think this storm will last? * The movie lasted over two hours. Last does not always need an expression of time: His annoyance won't last. Last is also used to say that you have enough of something: We don't have enough money to last until next month. Take is used to talk about the amount of time you need in order to go somewhere or do something. It must be used with an expression of time: It takes (me) at least an hour to get home from work. * How long will the flight take? * The water took ages to boil. ______________________________ noun a block of wood or metal shaped like a foot, used in making and repairing shoes seealsoLAST