on one's last legs

on one's last legs
I. phrasal
: at or near the end of one's resources : on the verge of failure, exhaustion, or ruin

the old car was on its last legs

II. phrasal
: near death, extinction, or defeat

looking like he was on his last legs — J.T.Farrell

evident to any impartial observer that colonialism in Asia was on its last legsYale Review

* * *

on one's last legs
On the verge of utter failure or exhaustion
• • •
Main Entry:last
————————
on one's last legs see under ↑last1
• • •
Main Entry:leg

* * *

I
see leg
II
near the end of life, usefulness, or existence

the foundry business was on its last legs


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • On one's last legs — Last Last (l[.a]st), a. [OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late; akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See {Late}, and cf. {Latest}.] 1. Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • On one's last legs — Leg Leg (l[e^]g), n. [Icel. leggr; akin to Dan. l[ae]g calf of the leg, Sw. l[ a]gg.] 1. A limb or member of an animal used for supporting the body, and in running, climbing, and swimming; esp., that part of the limb between the knee and foot.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • on one's last legs — {adj. phr.} Failing; near the end. * /The blacksmith s business is on its last legs./ * /The dog is old and sick. He is on his last legs./ Compare: ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, ON ONE S KNEES(2) …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • on one's last legs — {adj. phr.} Failing; near the end. * /The blacksmith s business is on its last legs./ * /The dog is old and sick. He is on his last legs./ Compare: ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, ON ONE S KNEES(2) …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • on one's last legs — phrasal at or near the end of one s resources ; on the verge of failure, exhaustion, or ruin …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • To breathe one's last — Last Last (l[.a]st), a. [OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late; akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See {Late}, and cf. {Latest}.] 1. Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To stand on one's own legs — Leg Leg (l[e^]g), n. [Icel. leggr; akin to Dan. l[ae]g calf of the leg, Sw. l[ a]gg.] 1. A limb or member of an animal used for supporting the body, and in running, climbing, and swimming; esp., that part of the limb between the knee and foot.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Last — (l[.a]st), a. [OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late; akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See {Late}, and cf. {Latest}.] 1. Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or order of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Last heir — Last Last (l[.a]st), a. [OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late; akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See {Late}, and cf. {Latest}.] 1. Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Legs of a triangle — Leg Leg (l[e^]g), n. [Icel. leggr; akin to Dan. l[ae]g calf of the leg, Sw. l[ a]gg.] 1. A limb or member of an animal used for supporting the body, and in running, climbing, and swimming; esp., that part of the limb between the knee and foot.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Legs of an hyperbola — Leg Leg (l[e^]g), n. [Icel. leggr; akin to Dan. l[ae]g calf of the leg, Sw. l[ a]gg.] 1. A limb or member of an animal used for supporting the body, and in running, climbing, and swimming; esp., that part of the limb between the knee and foot.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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