last stand; last bastion; last stronghold; last frontier
Figurative expression for the final place or position of defense, resistance, or hope. Often used in military, political, or metaphorical contexts.
The old castle became the rebel army's last stronghold.
This small shop is the last bastion of the region's traditional crafts.
Standard kanji spelling; 砦 means 'fort' or 'stronghold'.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; the kanji form 最後の砦 is more common.
Compound of 最後 (last) + の (possessive particle) + 砦 (fort, stronghold). The phrase is a straightforward combination of its parts, used figuratively to mean a final defensive position.