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last resort — The only course of action remaining after all other options have failed

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: The only course of action remaining after all other options have failed

Pronunciation (IPA): /læst rɪˈzɔːrt/

Example Sentences

  • Eating instant noodles for dinner is my last resort when I'm too broke to buy real food.
  • Calling my mom for advice is always my last resort, but somehow she's always right.
  • The government acted as a lender of last resort during the financial crisis.

last resort

NOUN

[/læst rɪˈzɔːrt/]

The only course of action remaining after all other options have failed

With the ship sinking fast, launching the lifeboat was their last resort.
💡 Concept

With the ship sinking fast, launching the lifeboat was their last resort.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/læst rɪˈzɔːrt/
🇬🇧 UK/lɑːst rɪˈzɔːt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixre--
Rootsort(ir)

Origin

From Old French 'resortir' meaning 'to go out again' or 'to have recourse to'. Combined with 'last' to mean the final place or means one turns to when everything else has failed.

Breakdown

last (final) + re- (again) + sort/sortir (to go out, to have recourse)

🎵Rhyme

support
export
sport

🔗Collocations

as a last resort
use ~ as a last resort
turn to ~ as a last resort
in the last resort
court of last resort
lender of last resort

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“Eating instant noodles for dinner is my last resort when I'm too broke to buy real food.”

😄 Fun example

“Calling my mom for advice is always my last resort, but somehow she's always right.”

“The government acted as a lender of last resort during the financial crisis.”

😄 Fun example

“As a last resort, she decided to ask her ex for help moving the couch.”

📚Related Words

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