every last dollar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every last dollar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the totality of money being referred to, often in contexts involving spending, saving, or financial transactions. Example: "He spent every last dollar he had on the new car, leaving him with no savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

And, as both Rick Perlstein and Alex Pareene have noted, one of the animating principles of the conservative movement over the last 40 years has been soaking every last dollar out of people whose intellectual incuriosity has never been an impediment to further rage and paranoia.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am ready to give our robber every last dollar.

The New York Times - Magazine

Attanasio said he wouldn't hold out for every last dollar.

The New York Times - Sports

Meche's decision plays against type -- the modern athlete out for every last dollar.

The New York Times

Researching the actual cost of purchases and investments, account for every last dollar of your winnings.

The New York Times

"I did not, however, admire the way he pandered for every last dollar".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"We think you don't have to milk every single last dollar out of every project".

The New York Times

Walras assumed that in equilibrium, all money would be spent on all goods: every good would be sold at the market price for that good and every buyer would expend their last dollar on a basket of goods.

Wikipedia

IN THESE austere times, finance ministers on both sides of the Atlantic are desperately trying to wring every last tax dollar out of their economies.

The Economist

Under budgetary pressure to chase down every last tax dollar and euro, authorities are working with the Swiss to close the last loopholes in a banking regime that once made it the favored offshore haven.

The New York Times

(The sisters evidently preferred to live relatively normal lives and, having found a way to make an adequate living doing what they loved to do, felt no obligation to squeeze every last Canadian dollar out of their art).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every last dollar" to underscore the exhaustive nature of spending, saving, or extraction of funds. This emphasizes that nothing is left over.

Common error

Avoid using "every last dollar" when you simply mean 'most of the money'. The phrase is strongest when it truly reflects the complete depletion or allocation of funds.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every last dollar" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (e.g., dollar, cent) to emphasize the completeness or totality of the amount. As Ludwig shows, this expression highlights that no part of the sum remains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every last dollar" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the complete use or extraction of money. As Ludwig AI confirms, it typically appears in news and business contexts, highlighting situations where no funds are spared. While alternatives like "every single penny" or "all available funds" exist, "every last dollar" specifically stresses the exhaustive nature of the financial activity. It's important to use this phrase accurately to reflect complete financial exhaustion or thoroughness rather than simply implying 'most of the money'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every single dollar

Slightly less emphatic than "every last dollar" but very similar in meaning.

every single penny

Emphasizes small amounts, focusing on not missing even the smallest units of currency.

every last cent

A stronger version of 'every cent' adding emphasis.

every cent

Similar to 'every single penny' but less emphatic about small amounts.

all available funds

Focuses on the availability of money, not necessarily on it being the last.

the entire fortune

Highlights the total wealth involved, suitable when referring to a larger sum.

all one's savings

Specifically refers to saved money being completely used.

every resource at one's disposal

Expands beyond just money to include other means or assets.

the full amount

Stresses completeness in payment or expenditure, without emotional loading.

every possible source of revenue

Emphasizes the effort to explore all potential income streams.

FAQs

How can I use "every last dollar" in a sentence?

The phrase "every last dollar" emphasizes the completeness of spending, saving, or obtaining money. For instance, "He spent "every last dollar" on that car" indicates he used all his money.

What are some alternatives to "every last dollar"?

You can use alternatives like "every single penny", "all available funds", or "the entire fortune" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "every last dollar" or "every single dollar"?

Both "every last dollar" and "every single dollar" are correct. "Every last dollar" carries a slightly stronger emphasis on the exhaustion of funds.

When should I use "every last dollar" instead of "all the money"?

Use "every last dollar" when you want to highlight that no money was spared or that all funds were completely used. "All the money" is a more general statement, while "every last dollar" adds emphasis.