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ESL forum > Message board > The last man standing    

The last man standing



ueslteacher
Ukraine

The last man standing
 
What �s the connotation of this expression the last man standing?
I �d appreciate your help with this one.
Sophia

13 Aug 2011      





maryse pey�
France

well, I guess it depens on the context.
 
I would say : the last man still alive on a battle field
OR
the last man still agreeing or disagreeing during a meeting
OR
the last man courageous enough, or not badly wounded to stay straight on foot
OR
might be an indirect question : "who is volunteer for the mission after all ?"
 
 
Might this help you ?
 

13 Aug 2011     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

It �s a phrase I heard in a movie. The woman got an envelope with a photo of war buddies (she was one of them) and on the other side it had: "Do you know what they say about the last man standing?" So I was wondering what the connotation of that might be. Something about trust... you never trust the last man standing... Why?
Sophia

13 Aug 2011     



alien boy
Japan

The last man standing is also the winner of a violent contest...


fortunately I �m just a boy, so I don �t compete like that!

14 Aug 2011     



PhilipR
Thailand

Think Gladiator, with Russell Crowe standing in the middle of the arena, bodies strewn all around him.

14 Aug 2011     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

I get the meaning of it more or less now. Thanks guys:)
Do you know, if the phrase has a background story of some kind.
Sophia

14 Aug 2011     



Jayho
Australia

Hi Sophia
 
You can read about the background here: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-last-man-standing-mean.htm
 
Cheers
 
Jayho

14 Aug 2011     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

Thanks, Jayho,
With the given context of "tontine" practice and the plot of the movie I �ve been watching it all finally makes sense.
Sophia

14 Aug 2011     



edrodmedina
United States

In the example you gave it could mean the last man standing was a coward, was hiding therefore did not get killed.

14 Aug 2011     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

Nope:) He was after money and he was very dangerous. Long story... The movie is called Close Quarters or the Last Man Standing 2011.
Sophia

14 Aug 2011     



libertybelle
United States

There �s a competition called Last Comic Standing  where the comedian with the best stand-up wins. 

If it is a question of the best or the strongest - it could also mean:
The survival of the fittest.  (Darwin �s theory)

14 Aug 2011     

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