last gasp

plural last gasps

1. The final gasp or breath a person takes before death.

   Now the murdered man is drawing his last gasp.

   1932, Carl Theodor Dreyer and Christen Jul, Vampyr

2. broadlyThe point of death, or the last period of one's life.

   […] but so much rain fell therewith, as refreshed Aurelius his Forces, that were at the last gasp for thirst:

   1680, Andrew Marvell, A Short Historical Essay Touching General Councils, Creeds, and Impositions in Matters of Religion, page 33

   3 more examples

   Such as feare God shall be strengthened to stand against all assaults of Satan; yea they shal continue and stand stedfast vnto the end, euen to the last gasp.

   1585, Edwin Sandys, “Sermon 14”, in Sermons, page 247

   […] I have got an old aunt of my own, who has been puffing and blowing as if she was at her last gasp ever since I can remember;

   1782, Frances Burney, chapter 10, in Cecilia, volume 1, page 137

   The duke had honoured her by coming to her house, and she was bound to welcome him, though in doing so she should bring Lady Lufton to her last gasp.

   1861, Anthony Trollope, Framley Parsonage, volume 2, page 65

3. figurativelyThe point at which something disappears or is destroyed; a last-gasp moment, attempt, etc.

   ‘What about Greg?’ It was his conscience letting out a last gasp.

   1979, Patrick White, The Twyborn Affair, page 221

   2 more examples

   Me thinks, (my Lord) you are grown something solemn on the sudden; since your Monopolies and Patents, which made your purse swell like a wet spunge, have been reduc’d to th’ last gasp.

   1654, George Chapman (attr.), “Act I”, in Revenge for Honour, page 9

   The current was more rapid now, the steamer seemed at her last gasp, the stern-wheel flopped languidly, and I caught myself listening on tiptoe for the next beat of the float, for in sober truth I expected the wretched thing to give up every moment.

   1899 March, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume 165, page 486