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Difference between Be on one’s last legs and Be the last leg

be on one’s last legs—be at the end of one’s resources and failing fast:

  • At this point I was on my last legs … I would have loved nothing more than to have stopped for a rest.

Cf.: need new legs —(also: need fresh legs)

1. be in need of rest:

  • I think I need new legs from all the walking we did.

2. (Sport) need players who are young:

  • We need new legs on the team. Veterans are great, but the youth has so much more potential.

be the last legbe the last part of a trip (separated from other parts by a period of rest, etc.):

  • We were tired but this was the last leg of our journey.