finish last

USAGE SUMMARY

"finish last" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that finishes at the bottom of a group. For example: "The team finished last in the standings, but they didn't give up and won the championship next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which team will finish last in 2018?

BBC

The team's epic collapse in 2011 was followed by a last-place finish last season.

The New York Times - Sports

It will finish last in the league for only the third time since 1983.

The New York Times - Sports

They'll finish last".

The New York Times - Magazine

NICE guys finish last in politics.

The Economist

Nonsense clichés: "Nice guys finish last".

The New York Times - Books

The slowest do not always finish last.

The Economist

Hence that 5 a.m. finish last Friday.

Yale University

That Philadelphia would finish last?

The New York Times

Nice guys often finish last.

The Guardian

"You might as well finish last".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finish last" to clearly and directly indicate the final position in a competition, race, or ranking. It is universally understood and suitable for a wide range of contexts.

Common error

Be mindful that using the phrase "finish last" can sometimes be interpreted negatively, implying failure or inadequacy. Consider the audience and context. In some situations, it might be better to focus on effort or learning experiences rather than simply stating the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish last" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of ending a competition or ranking in the lowest position. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "finish last" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of ending a competition or ranking in the lowest position. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is primarily used in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various situations. While straightforward, it's crucial to consider the audience and context to avoid negative implications. Related phrases like "come in last place" and "end up at the bottom" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come in last place

Replaces "finish" with "come in" and specifies the "place" to emphasize the ranking aspect.

rank at the bottom

Specifically refers to ranking or placement.

end up at the bottom

Focuses on the result of being at the lowest position.

take last position

Emphasizes the act of acquiring the final position.

wind up in last

Emphasizes the unexpected or eventual nature of finishing last.

be the tail-ender

Uses a figurative term to describe the one at the end of a group.

bring up the rear

Idiomatic expression for being at the back or the last one.

scrape the bottom

Figurative language implying the very lowest level of performance.

conclude at the foot

More formal way of saying finishing last, indicating the bottom of a list.

occupy the lowest rung

Uses the metaphor of a ladder to indicate the bottom position.

FAQs

How can I use "finish last" in a sentence?

You can use "finish last" to describe the outcome of a competition or ranking, for example: "Despite their best efforts, the team "finished last" in the tournament."

What are some alternatives to "finish last"?

Some alternatives to "finish last" include "come in last place", "end up at the bottom", or "bring up the rear", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "finish last"?

Yes, "finish last" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is acceptable for use in written English.

What does it mean to "finish last"?

To "finish last" means to end a competition, race, or ranking in the very bottom position. It simply indicates the outcome of being at the end of a group.