last resort
    n 1: an expedient adopted only in desperation; "`pis aller' is
         French for `worst going'" [syn: pis aller, last resort]

Resort \Re*sort"\ (r?*z?rt"), n. [Cf. F. ressort jurisdiction.
   See Resort, v.]
   1. The act of going to, or making application; a betaking
      one's self; the act of visiting or seeking; recourse; as,
      a place of popular resort; -- often figuratively; as, to
      have resort to force.
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            Join with me to forbid him her resort. --Shak.
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   2. A place to which one betakes himself habitually; a place
      of frequent assembly; a haunt.
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            Far from all resort of mirth.         --Milton.
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   3. That to which one resorts or looks for help; resource;
      refuge.
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   Last resort, ultimate means of relief; also, final
      tribunal; that from which there is no appeal.
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LAST RESORT. A court of last resort, is one which decides, definitely, 
without appeal or writ of error, or any other examination whatever, a suit 
or action, or some other matter, which has been submitted to its judgment, 
and over which it has jurisdiction. 
     2. The supreme court is a court of last resort in all matters which 
legally come before it; and whenever a court possesses the power to decide 
without appeal or other examination whatever, a subject matter submitted to 
it, it is a court of last resort; but this is not to be understood as 
preventing an examination into its jurisdiction, or excess of authority, for 
then the judgment of a superior does not try and decide so much whether the 
point decided has been so done according to law, as to try the authority of 
the inferior court.