A last-ditch effort or a last-ditch attempt at is a final effort or action which is performed when everything else has failed. A last-ditch effort or last-ditch attempt is rarely expected to succeed and is the final expending of resources before giving up.

1. The losing team launched an all-out attack in a last-ditch effort to salvage something from the game. Incredibly, they scored with just seconds left on the clock!
2. In a last-ditch attempt to save their marriage the couple attended therapy.

1. Before Jane left the job, her boss made a last-ditch attempt to keep her at the firm by offering her a pay rise. Jane felt that it was too little, too late.

1. The Board have been making last-ditch efforts to prevent workers from going on strike, but so far their concessions have not done enough to smooth things over. 
2. The pre-release was a last-ditch effort for the company to capitalise on the Christmas market.