last

3
[ last, lahst ]
/ læst, lɑst /

noun

a wooden or metal form in the shape of the human foot on which boots or shoes are shaped or repaired.
the shape or form of a shoe.

verb (used with object)

to shape on or fit to a last.

Idioms for last

    stick to one's last, to keep to that work, field, etc., in which one is competent or skilled.

Origin of last

3
before 900; Middle English lest(e), last(e), Old English lǣste; cognate with German Leisten; akin to Old English lāst, Gothic laists track

OTHER WORDS FROM last

last·er, noun

Words nearby last

lassi, lassie, lassitude, lasso, lassus, last, last analysis, last but not least, last chance saloon, last fling, last gasp

British Dictionary definitions for stick to one's last (1 of 4)

last 1
/ (lɑːst) /

adjective (often prenominal)

adverb

noun

Word Origin for last

variant of Old English latest, lætest, superlative of late

usage for last

Since last can mean either after all others or most recent, it is better to avoid using this word where ambiguity might arise as in her last novel. Final or latest should be used in such contexts to avoid ambiguity

British Dictionary definitions for stick to one's last (2 of 4)

last 2
/ (lɑːst) /

verb

(when intr, often foll by for) to remain in being (for a length of time); continue his hatred lasted for several years
to be sufficient for the needs of (a person) for (a length of time) it will last us until Friday
(when intr, often foll by for) to remain fresh, uninjured, or unaltered (for a certain time or duration) he lasted for three hours underground
See also last out

Derived forms of last

laster, noun

Word Origin for last

Old English lǣstan; related to Gothic laistjan to follow

British Dictionary definitions for stick to one's last (3 of 4)

last 3
/ (lɑːst) /

noun

the wooden or metal form on which a shoe or boot is fashioned or repaired

verb

(tr) to fit (a shoe or boot) on a last

Derived forms of last

laster, noun

Word Origin for last

Old English lǣste, from lāst footprint; related to Old Norse leistr foot, Gothic laists

British Dictionary definitions for stick to one's last (4 of 4)

last 4
/ (lɑːst) /

noun

a unit of weight or capacity having various values in different places and for different commodities. Commonly used values are 2 tons, 2000 pounds, 80 bushels, or 640 gallons

Word Origin for last

Old English hlæst load; related to hladan to lade 1

Idioms and Phrases with stick to one's last (1 of 2)

stick to one's last

Keep to what you know and don't interfere out of your province, as in Let me handle the defense in this suit; you stick to your last and track down more eyewitnesses. This adage comes from an ancient story about a shoemaker criticizing a work by a Greek painter named Apelles, saying that the shoe in the picture was not correctly portrayed. After the painter corrected it, the shoemaker pointed out an error in the leg, whereupon the painter said, “Shoemaker, do not go above your last.” Over the centuries the story was repeated, and the expression still is sometimes put as cobbler, stick to your last, even though cobblers are nearly obsolete.

Idioms and Phrases with stick to one's last (2 of 2)

last