"Down last penny" is a phrase used to describe someone who has spent all of their money. The spelling of the word "down" is /daʊn/, with the "ow" sound pronounced like "ou" in the word "out". The spelling of "last" is /læst/, with the "a" sound pronounced like "a" in the word "cat". The spelling of "penny" is /ˈpɛni/, with the "e" sound pronounced like "e" in the word "pet". The phrase emphasizes the complete depletion of one's finances.
The phrase "down last penny" is an idiomatic expression that refers to spending all available money or resources, leaving nothing remaining. It implies a state of complete financial depletion where every last cent has been exhausted. The phrase can be traced back to the concept of counting or paying with coins. In the past, people used to settle payments by counting each coin one by one, and when no more coins were left, they were "down to the last penny."
The expression is often used to emphasize that someone has used all their financial reserves, usually in the context of being in a desperate or dire situation. It implies that the person has exhausted all their funds, and there is no more cash left to rely on. The phrase can be used both literally, in situations where someone has spent all their money, as well as figuratively, to emphasize that all available resources have been utilized, leaving nothing to spare.
The use of "down last penny" can evoke a sense of financial struggle, hardship, or the need for extreme financial prudence. It conveys the idea that the individual has reached the lowest point in terms of their financial situation and implies that they have no choice but to rely on other means or acquire more funds to overcome their circumstances.