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# on his last legs

idiom (adjective phrase used after «be»: on his last legs, on her last legs, on its last legs)

«on his last legs» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism) very ill or very old and near death.
2. (informal) very tired; worn out.
3. (informal, of things) about to break or stop working.

### In the lessons

People use it to talk about death, tiredness or broken things in a softer, often joking way. Everyday register, all English-speaking countries.

### Examples

- The old dog is on his last legs.
- My phone is on its last legs; the battery dies by noon.
- After the marathon, I was on my last legs.
- That car's been on its last legs for years.
- Grandad was on his last legs, so the family came to see him.
- This shop is on its last legs — nobody comes any more.

### Note

About a person it can mean dying, so be careful. About things it is light and funny. Plain words: dying, worn out, about to break.