last resortn.
/ˌlɑːs(t) rᵻˈzɔːt/, /ˌlas(t) rᵻˈzɔːt/, U.S. /ˌlæs(t) rəˈzɔrt/, /ˌlæs(t) riˈzɔrt/ A final opportunity for appeal. In later use more generally: a final expedient, something to be adopted when everything else has failed. Frequently in as a (also the) last resort, in the last resort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > recourse > [noun] > that to which one has recourse > last resort
last resorta1586
rendezvous1600
pis aller1676
ultima ratio1848
long-stop1949
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Astrophel & Stella (1591) 72 Come Death the Anchor hold of al my thoughts, My last resort whereto my Soule appealeth.
1624 T. Heigham tr. G. de Chevalier Disc. Valour in Ghosts of Deceased Sieurs 117 The Soueraigne Iudge, which iudgeth in the last resort of all faire actions.
1646 J. Howell Lustra Ludovici 21 The Parliaments of France, whereof there are eight, have not the same latitude of power, yet are they Supreme Courts, or Sessions of Justice, where mens causes and differences are publikly determined in last ressort without any further appeale.
1680 W. Temple Ess. Orig. & Nature of Govt. in Miscellanea 53 All Government is a restraint upon liberty; And under all, The Dominion is equally absolute, where it is in the last resort.
1727 W. Somervile Occas. Poems 250 Resolves once more to make his Court To his old Aunt, his last Resort.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Presidials judge in the last Ressort, of all Criminals prosecuted by the Provosts of the Marshals.
1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. 11 Arbiters of the property of all their fellow-subjects, and that in the last resort.
1782 W. Cowper Hope in Poems 160 Between justice, as my prime support, And mercy fled to, as the last resort, I..steal along with heav'n in view.
1858 J. Martineau Stud. Christianity 352 Life, indeed, is just the one thing..on whose disposability in the last resort..the very existence of society depends.
1878 R. L. Stevenson Inland Voy. 170 Every man is his own doctor of divinity in the last ressort.
1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 121 If in the last resort it is the greatest perfection which determines the divine choice [etc.].
1926 M. Lowry Let. Apr. in Sursum Corda! (1995) I. 9 As a last resort I gave you the letter as though to convince myself that the dream, had, in a fashion come true.
1951 A. Roberts Mammals 277 The Hartebeests..are not aggressive, attempting to get away rather than defend themselves, except as a last resort.
1978 Times 12 June 20/2 The salvage companies are to the maritime industry what Red Adair is to the oil industry—a last resort.
1999 G. Linehan & A. Mathews Father Ted 22 The only time we ever see Ted pray is when he's in terrible trouble and he calls on God in the last resort.
Phrases
court of last resort n. Law a court from which no (further) appeal may be made.
ΚΠ
1625 J. Bennet Psalme of Mercy 15 To appeale from thy seate of Iustice, to thy throne of Mercy, as to thy Court of last resort, which is alwaies open.
1793 A. Hunter Duties Subj. 18 The power of appeal to superior judicatories or to a court of last resort, is an important privilege.
1872 M. M. Bigelow Treat. Law Estoppel ii. 16 It seems hardly necessary to state that a judgment of a court of last resort cannot be collaterally attacked in that or in any other court.
1905 E. B. Kinkead Jurispr., Law & Ethics xiii. 205 The decision of a court of last resort is absolute law for all purposes in lower courts.
2008 Vanity Fair (N.Y.) Jan. 96/1 The venerable Privy Council..now sits as the court of last resort only to the splinters of an empire undone: British Gibraltar and a lingering handful of island territories in far-off seas.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1586