last ditch
When nothing's left
Last ditch describes a final, desperate effort when all other options have failed: a last-ditch attempt to save the company.
The phrase evokes military defense—the final trench before being overrun.
It always implies urgency and near-certain failure without this effort: They made a last-ditch appeal to the governor.
- all or nothingExtreme without compromise
- do-or-dieDesperately crucial situation
- make or breakDecisive for outcome
- desperateDriven by urgent need
- extremeFurthest from moderate
sink or swim · hopeless · against all odds · ultimate · backs to the wall · brinkmanship · point of no return · no turning back · endgame · showdown · rearguard action · zero hour · eleventh hour · trench warfare · final · utter · gamble · resolve
- desperate measuresdesperate plea, desperation move, final stand, grasp at straws, hail mary
- crunch timecrunch time, do or die, do-or-die, now or never, make or break
- Dogfightingdogfight, barrel roll, wingman, bandit, six o'clock
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pickle, pinch
last ditchfirst choice
Most preferred option
first option · primary · go-to · first attempt · plan A
last ditchroutine
Regular sequence of actions
standard · leisurely · comfortable · proactive · early intervention
last, ditch, lasted, lasting, lasts, lastly, ditches, ditched, ditching