"Last but 2" refers to the item or position that is two places before the very last one in a sequence, group, or series. It identifies the third-to-last item.
Understanding the Phrase
The phrase "last but 2" is a common idiomatic expression used to pinpoint a specific position counting backward from the end. It follows a similar pattern to "last but one" (meaning the second-to-last) or "last but three" (meaning the fourth-to-last). Essentially, "but" in this context means "except for" or "excluding," implying how many items you skip from the end to reach the desired position.
Consider a series of items:
Item 1, Item 2, Item 3, Item 4, Item 5
- The last item is
Item 5
. - The last but one (or second-to-last) item is
Item 4
. - The last but 2 (or third-to-last) item is
Item 3
.
This pattern helps to precisely locate an item's position relative to the conclusion of a sequence.
Practical Examples
To illustrate its meaning, let's look at various scenarios:
- In a Line: If five people are standing in a queue:
- Person 5 is the last.
- Person 4 is the last but one.
- Person 3 is the last but 2.
- In a Race: If a race has 10 finishers:
- The 10th place finisher is the last.
- The 9th place finisher is the last but one.
- The 8th place finisher is the last but 2.
- In a List or Series: Imagine a list of tasks to complete:
- Task 1, Task 2, Task 3, Task 4, Task 5.
- If Task 5 is the final task, Task 3 is the last but 2.
Positional Reference Table
The following table clarifies the common "last but X" expressions:
Phrase | Meaning | Equivalent Position (from End) |
---|---|---|
Last | The final item | 1st |
Last but one | The item immediately before the last | 2nd |
Last but 2 | The item two places before the last | 3rd |
Last but three | The item three places before the last | 4th |
Last but four | The item four places before the last | 5th |
Understanding these phrases helps in clearly communicating positions within ordered groups, whether referring to people, items, or events.