Dunkirk
- noun
- /ˈdʌn.kɜrk/
- UK
:
último recurso
- Facing overwhelming odds, the activists launched a Dunkirk to stop the demolition of the historic building.
Examples
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The team staged a Dunkirk when they fought back in the final minutes of the game.
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What a Dunkirk that was for the team!
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After months of setbacks, the company had to pull a Dunkirk to avoid bankruptcy.
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It was a true Dunkirk!
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The team's last-minute goal felt like a dunkirk, as it was their only chance to avoid elimination from the tournament.
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When the company faced bankruptcy, the CEO implemented a bold plan that was seen as a dunkirk to save the business.
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This challenging project turned into a dunkirk for the engineers, who worked tirelessly to meet the deadline.
Synonyms
69
3.5
A final thing you try when all other options have failed
4
6.7
A situation when you must succeed because failure is not allowed
2
7.4
A situation of very great trouble and urgent need with no easy way out
Compounds
A rescue of many Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940 during World War II
A strong feeling of people working together and being determined in hard times
How Desperate
Surface Forms
Etymology
Dunkirk used as a noun means a desperate last effort because of the famous 1940 evacuation at the town of Dunkirk, when many soldiers were rescued in a dramatic, last-minute way. The town's name itself comes from old Dutch duin 'dune' and kerk 'church', so today 'Dunkirk' also stands for a brave final rescue.