on one last legs


one of the flanges of an angle iron.
one of the stretches or sections of a relay race.
the fielder playing this part of the field.
the position of this fielder.
Electricity. a component or branch of a circuit, network, antenna, etc.
bride2 ( def 1 ).
verb (used with object), legged, legging.
Verb phrases
leg it, Informal. to walk rapidly or run: We'd better leg it or we'll be late for class.
leg up,
advantage; edge.
on one's/its last legs, just short of exhaustion, breakdown, failure, etc.: The aristocracy was on its last legs.
pull someone's leg,
to make fun of someone; tease.
to deceive someone; trick someone.
shake a leg, Informal.
to hurry up.
Older Use. to dance.

1225–75; 1915–20 for def 10; Middle English < Old Norse leggr

legless, adjective
leglike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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World English Dictionary
leg (lɛɡ)
1.  a.  either of the two lower limbs, including the bones and fleshy covering of the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella
 b.  (as modifier): leg guard; leg rest Related: crural
2.  any similar or analogous structure in animals that is used for locomotion or support
3.  this part of an animal, esp the thigh, used for food: leg of lamb
4.  something similar to a leg in appearance or function, such as one of the four supporting members of a chair
5.  a branch, limb, or part of a forked or jointed object
6.  the part of a garment that covers the leg
7.  a section or part of a journey or course
8.  a single stage, lap, length, etc, in a relay race
9.  either one of two races on which a cumulative bet has been placed
10.  either the opposite or adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
11.  nautical
 a.  the distance travelled without tacking
 b.  (in yacht racing) the course between any two marks
12.  one of a series of games, matches, or parts of games
13.  cricket
 a.  the side of the field to the left of a right-handed batsman as he faces the bowler
 b.  (as modifier): a leg slip; leg stump
14.  give someone a leg up
 a.  to help someone to climb an obstacle by pushing upwards
 b.  to help someone to advance
15.  informal have legs to be successful or show the potential to succeed
16.  not have a leg to stand on to have no reasonable or logical basis for an opinion or argument
17.  on its last legs worn out; exhausted
18.  informal pull someone's leg to tease, fool, or make fun of someone
19.  informal shake a leg
 a.  to hurry up: usually used in the imperative
 b.  to dance
20.  informal show a leg to get up in the morning
21.  stretch one's legs See stretch
vb , legs, legging, legged
22.  obsolete (tr) to propel (a canal boat) through a tunnel by lying on one's back and walking one's feet along the tunnel roof
23.  informal leg it to walk, run, or hurry
Related: crural
[C13: from Old Norse leggr, of obscure origin]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

c.1275, from O.N. leggr "leg, bone," from P.Gmc. *lagjaz. Replaced O.E. shank. The meaning "a part or stage of a journey or race" (1920) is from earlier sailing sense of "a run made on a single tack" (1867), which was usually qualified as long leg, short leg, etc. Leg-work (1891) was originally news
reporter's slang for an assignment that produced more walking than text. Slang phrase shake a leg "dance" is attested from 1881. To be on (one's) last legs "at the end of one's life" is from 1599. Legging "extra outer covering to protect the leg" first recorded 1763. Leg-warmer is first attested 1974. Leg up "aid, boost" is from 1837.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

leg (lěg)

  1. One of the two lower limbs of the human body, especially the part between the knee and the foot.

  2. A supporting part resembling a leg in shape or function.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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