the last leg

USAGE SUMMARY

"the last leg" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to the final part of a journey or process. An example: "We are on the last leg of our trip to the mountains." Alternative expressions include "the final stretch" and "the home stretch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I've run the last leg for the last six years.

Independent

"I've always run the last leg for the last six years.

BBC

The last leg is the most treacherous.

The New York Times

He entered the last leg, trailing.

The Guardian - Opinion

The last leg brings us near Padua.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tells about the last leg of the journey.

The New Yorker

For the last leg home, he caught a livery cab.

The New York Times

The Last Leg? (I'm quite fond of it).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Now I start the last leg of my journey," Willingham wrote to Gilbert.

The New Yorker

"We don't want to lose it on the last leg of the journey," he said.

The New York Times - Science

It was the last leg of a nightmarish journey that some have not survived.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with prepositions like "on" or "for" to denote status or purpose, such as being "on the last leg of the trip".

Common error

Do not use "the last leg" when you mean the final item in a list of physical objects. It specifically refers to a segment of time or travel. Additionally, ensure you do not confuse it with the negative idiom "on its last legs", which implies something is failing or dying.

Linguistic Context

In English, "the last leg" functions as a noun phrase typically acting as the object of a preposition (usually "on" or "for"). It uses the word "leg" metaphorically to represent a single stage or portion of a journey. According to Ludwig, this structure is highly productive in both literal travel contexts and figurative descriptions of processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academic

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the last leg" is a versatile and standard English idiom used to describe the final stage of any multi-part endeavor, most commonly a physical journey or a long-term project. Data from Ludwig shows that it is exceptionally common in high-quality journalism, appearing in outlets like The New York Times and BBC. It is grammatically classified as a noun phrase and is almost always preceded by the preposition "on". Unlike the similar phrase "on its last legs", which describes something nearing failure, "the last leg" is a neutral marker of progress. For writers, it serves as an effective way to signal that a sequence is nearing its conclusion without being overly technical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the final stretch

More common in athletic or project-based contexts focusing on the end effort.

the home stretch

Originates from racing, implying the final part before reaching the finish line or home.

the final phase

More formal and often used in project management or scientific processes.

the concluding stage

Emphasis on the formal ending or closure of a sequence.

the tail end

Informal and refers specifically to the very last, often less significant, portion.

the last lap

Specifically relates to circular tracks or repetitive tasks.

the final lap

Similar to last lap but emphasizes the ultimate nature of the segment.

the closing chapter

Metaphorical, often used for life events or historical periods.

the last part

A very general and simple alternative for any segment-based context.

the end of the road

Often implies finality or the conclusion of a long-term endeavor.

FAQs

How to use "the last leg" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the final part of a journey, such as: "We are finally on the last leg of our flight to Tokyo."

What can I say instead of "the last leg"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/the+final+stretch" target="_blank" rel="alternative">the final stretch", "<a href="/s/the+home+stretch" target="_blank" rel="alternative">the home stretch" or "<a href="/s/the+final+phase" target="_blank" rel="alternative">the final phase".

Which is correct: "at the last leg" or "on the last leg"?

While both appear, "on the last leg" is the standard prepositional use for travel and progress. Using "at" usually refers to a specific geographic point where that leg begins.

What is the difference between "the last leg" and "the final stretch"?

While "the last leg" often implies one segment of a multi-stop journey, "<a href="/s/the+final+stretch" target="_blank" rel="alternative">the final stretch" usually emphasizes the effort required to finish a task or race.