- Home
- Idioms
- resort
resort
be (one's) last resort
To be the only remaining thing or person that may help one or be of any use after all other options have been exhausted. I didn't really want to ask Mr. Stadler to write my college recommendation, but he's my last resort at this point.
as a last resort
As a final option, usually when preferable ones have failed. We will only pursue suspension as a last resort, so please improve your behavior in class. For now, I'm praying that the weather improves. I'm only going to cancel my flight as a last resort.
as a last resort
as the last choice; if everything else fails. Call me at home only as a last resort. As a last resort, the doctor will perform surgery.
resort to something
to turn to something that is not the first choice. I hope they don't resort to a lawsuit to accomplish their goals. She will resort to anything to get her way.
last resort
A final expedient or recourse to achieve some end or settle a difficulty. For example, If you don't improve, we'll try this new medication as a last resort. This term originally referred to a court of law from which there was no appeal. [Late 1600s]
resort to
v. To adopt some less desirable course of action due to difficult circumstances; have recourse to something: When the electricity went out, we resorted to heating water in the fireplace.