last lap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last lap" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of racing or competitions to refer to the final lap of a race. Example: "As the cars approached the last lap, the tension in the stadium was palpable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The last one was in 1989.

The Economist

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

The order book was down slightly at £3.6bn from the last update in June but well ahead of the £3.3bn reported this time last year.

The Guardian - Business

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

As a result, the country lost a further 21 positions in the policy evaluation compared to last year, thus replacing Canada as the worst-performing industrial country".

The Guardian

"Scoring is not up, but injuries are up," Tallon said of the current rule last week.

The New York Times

Since last July the state has opted to use just one massive dose of the sedative pentobarbital as its lethal injection, instead of a cocktail of three different drugs.

The Guardian

Last summer the Electoral Commission said 7.5 million eligible voters were not registered, with poor, black and young people least likely to be on the electoral roll.

The Guardian

The shares have underperformed the market by 6% in the last three months and now trade at a discount to the oil service peers.

The Guardian - Business

This was the second time in seven months that Hill has come close to the death chamber: last July he was spared by just 90 minutes and the experience was repeated on Tuesday night with just 30 minutes to go.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last lap" primarily in contexts related to races, competitions, or projects that have distinct stages. Ensure the audience understands the metaphorical connection when applying it to non-racing scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "last lap" when referring to events that lack a clear, structured progression or distinct phases. For instance, describing a general feeling as the "last lap" of your life may sound awkward; use a more fitting phrase such as "twilight years" or "final chapter" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last lap" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It commonly denotes the final circuit in a race or the concluding phase of a project. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last lap" is a noun phrase denoting the concluding phase of an event or project, often used metaphorically. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and understandable, however, a comprehensive analysis is limited by a lack of examples. The phrase is generally neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not inherently complex, understanding its metaphorical implications and avoiding its misuse in inappropriate scenarios are key to effective communication. As there are no examples, determining common usage frequency and contexts is impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final stage

Replaces "lap" with a more generic term for a phase.

final phase

Synonymous to final stage but emphasizes the cyclical nature.

end stage

Similar to "final stage" but highlights the conclusion.

closing stage

Emphasizes the act of concluding the activity.

last stretch

Uses a more informal term for the final part of a race or competition.

final leg

Suitable for journeys or multi-stage events.

home stretch

An idiomatic expression for the final part of an effort.

endgame

Refers to the concluding phase where final decisions are made.

penultimate stage

Refers to the stage immediately before the final stage, implying the end is very near.

finishing straight

Specifically used in racing contexts, referring to the final straight section of a track.

FAQs

What does "last lap" mean?

The phrase "last lap" typically refers to the final circuit of a race or competition. It's often used metaphorically to describe the concluding stage of any process or project.

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

You can say, "As the runner entered the "last lap", the crowd roared with excitement" or "We're on the "last lap" of this project, so let's push to finish strong".

What are some alternatives to "last lap"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "final stage", "final phase", or "home stretch" as alternatives to "last lap".

Is "last lap" formal or informal?

"Last lap" is generally considered a neutral phrase, acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, though its metaphorical use might be more common in less formal settings.