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On One's Last Legs

What Does "On One's Last Legs" Mean?

homeidiomsOn One's Last Legs
"On one's last legs" is an English idiom. It means "being physically or metaphorically near the point of exhaustion, failure, or collapse."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "on one's last legs" used in a sentence:
  • After running a marathon, he was on his last legs and could barely stand.
  • The old car was on its last legs and constantly breaking down, signaling the need for a replacement.
  • The business had been struggling for years and was now on its last legs, facing bankruptcy.
meaning for on one's last legs

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "On One's Last Legs" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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