VocabDictionary

last hurrah

/ˌlæst həˈrɑː/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.idiom

A final, often grand or significant, appearance, effort, or performance before retirement, death, or the end of a particular period.

Example Sentences:
  • The aging rock band announced a world tour, billing it as their last hurrah for their dedicated fans.
  • After forty years in the classroom, the teacher treated the final graduation ceremony as her last hurrah.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “last hurrah”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The phrase was popularized by the 1958 novel 'The Last Hurrah' by Edwin O'Connor, which depicts the final political campaign of a fictionalized Irish-American political boss. The term has since evolved from a specific political context to describe any final, often grand, public appearance or effort before retirement or the end of an era.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine a retiring athlete giving one final, loud 'hurrah!' (cheer) to the crowd before walking off the field forever.

Frequently Asked Questions About “last hurrah

1. What is the meaning of “last hurrah” in English?

In English, last hurrah (idiom) is defined as: “A final, often grand or significant, appearance, effort, or performance before retirement, death, or the end of a particular period.”.

2. How do you use “last hurrah” in a sentence?

The aging rock band announced a world tour, billing it as their last hurrah for their dedicated fans.

3. What are English synonyms of “last hurrah”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “last hurrah”?

The phrase was popularized by the 1958 novel 'The Last Hurrah' by Edwin O'Connor, which depicts the final political campaign of a fictionalized Irish-American political boss. The term has since evolved from a specific political context to describe any final, often grand, public appearance or effort before retirement or the end of an era.