German word

Schlusslicht

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃlʊsˌlɪçt/

Meaning

  • neuter nounlaggard

Example

Nach dem Rennen war er das Schlusslicht.

After the race, he came in last.

Illustration for Schlusslicht (laggard)

More examples

In der Tabelle bildet das Schlusslicht meist einen deutlichen Rückstand.

In the standings, the laggard is usually clearly behind.

Core concept

A rear lamp signals the final place in a procession, making the person or team at the bottom easy to identify.

Common phrases

  • das Schlusslicht bilden

    bring up the rear

  • als Schlusslicht dastehen

    appear as the laggard

Similar words

Letzter: The person or thing finishing last in a competition or sequence.
Nachzügler: A person or thing that arrives after others at a gathering or event.
Verlierer: A participant or side that has lost a contest or match.

Definition in German

Bezeichnung für dasjenige Mitglied einer Gruppe oder eines Wettbewerbs, das am Ende bleibt oder zurückfällt

Word origin

As a compound of Schluss and Licht, the word connects an end-position light with the figurative final place in a competition or group.

Usage tips

  • Schlusslicht can describe an organization, region, or country as well as an individual, so laggard is not limited to people.

Other meanings

  • last-place finishernoun
  • backmarkernoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Schlusslichtpositionlast-place positionnoun
  • Schlusslichtrollelaggard rolenoun

Word lists with this word