18 PHRASE If you leave something or someone until last , you delay using, choosing, or dealing with them until you have used, chosen, or dealt with all the others. □ I have left my best wine until last. □ I picked first all the people who usually were left till last.
19 to have the last laugh → see laugh
20 last-minute
21 the last straw → see straw
22 last thing → see thing USAGE last
Don’t use ‘the’ before ‘last’ with this meaning. Don’t say, for example, ‘
last + noun : hour, minute, month, year
noun + last : marriage, match, meeting, trial; effect
last + adverb : forever
la st-di tch ADJ [ADJ n] A last-ditch action is done only because there are no other ways left to achieve something or to prevent something happening. It is often done without much hope that it will succeed. □ …a last-ditch attempt to prevent civil war.
la st hur|ra h N‑COUNT [usu sing] Someone's last hurrah is the last occasion on which they do something, especially at the end of their career. □ I haven't even begun to think about quitting or having a last hurrah.
last|ing /lɑː st I ŋ, læ st-/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use lasting to describe a situation, result, or agreement that continues to exist or have an effect for a very long time. □ We are well on our way to a lasting peace. □ She left a lasting impression on him.
2 → see also last
La st Ju dge|ment also Last Judgment N‑PROPER In the Christian religion, the Last Judgement is the last day of the world when God will judge everyone who has died and decide whether they will go to Heaven or Hell.
last|ly /lɑː stli, læ st-/
1 ADV You use lastly when you want to make a final point, ask a final question, or mention a final item that is connected with the other ones you have already asked or mentioned. □ Lastly, I would like to ask about your future plans.
2 ADV You use lastly when you are saying what happens after everything else in a series of actions or events. □ They wash their hands, arms and faces, and lastly, they wash their feet.
la st-mi nute → see minute ➊
la st ri tes N‑PLURAL The last rites are a religious ceremony performed by a Christian priest for a dying person. □ [+ to ] Father Stephen Lea administered the last rites to the dead men.
latch /læ tʃ/ (latches , latching , latched )
1 N‑COUNT A latch is a fastening on a door or gate. It consists of a metal bar which you lift in order to open the door. □ You left the latch off the gate and the dog escaped.
2 N‑COUNT A latch is a lock on a door which locks automatically when you shut the door, so that you need a key in order to open it from the outside. □ [+ of ] …a key clicked in the latch of the front door.
3 VERB If you latch a door or gate, you fasten it by means of a latch. □ [V n] He latched the door, tested it, and turned around to speak to Frank.
▸ latch onto or latch on
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone latches onto a person or an idea or latches on , they become very interested in the person or idea, often finding them so useful that they do not want to leave them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] Rob had latched onto me. He followed me around and sat beside me at lunch. □ [V P ] Other trades have been quick to latch on.
2 PHRASAL VERB If one thing latches onto another, or if it latches on , it attaches itself to it and becomes part of it. □ [V P n] These are substances which specifically latch onto the protein on the cell membrane. [Also V P ]
latch|key /læ tʃkiː/ also latch-key ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to a child as a latchkey kid, you disapprove of the fact that they have to let themselves into their home when returning from school because their parents are out at work. [DISAPPROVAL ]
late ◆◆◆ /le I t/ (later , latest )
1 ADV Late means near the end of a day, week, year, or other period of time. □ [+ in ] It was late in the afternoon. □ [+ at ] She had to work late at night. □ [+ in ] His autobiography was written late in life. □ The case is expected to end late next week. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Late is also an adjective. □ The talks eventually broke down in late spring. □ He was in his late 20s. □ …the late 1960s.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If it is late , it is near the end of the day or it is past the time that you feel something should have been done. □ It was very late and the streets were deserted. □ We've got to go now. It's getting late. ● late|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] A large crowd had gathered despite the lateness of the hour.
3 ADV [ADV after v] Late means after the time that was arranged or expected. □ Steve arrived late. □ The talks began some fifteen minutes late. □ We got up late. ● ADJ Late is also an adjective. □ His campaign got off to a late start. □ We were a little late. □ The train was 40 minutes late. □ He's a half hour late. ● late|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He apologised for his lateness.
4 ADV [ADV after v] Late means after the usual time that a particular event or activity happens. □ We went to bed very late. □ He married late. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Late is also an adjective. □ They had a late lunch in a cafe. □ He was a very late developer.