Structure
Verb［た］+ が + 最後
Verb［たら］+ 最後
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Standard
About たら最後
たら最後 and たが最後 are grammar structures that both share the meaning of 'once (A), definitely (B)'. (B) will always be something negative that is thought to inevitably occur once the action of (A) happens. These expressions may be translated as 'once (A), (B)', 'now that (A), (B)', or 'as soon as (A), (B)'.
Both たら and が are being used as conjunction particles. たら carries its usual meaning of 'if' or 'when', while が has the meaning of 'however', or 'but'. This means that たが最後 means '(A), but it will end up as (B)', while たら最後 means 'when (A), in will end up as (B)'. Although this nuance is slightly different, they are used completely interchangeably.
Because 最後 is primarily seen before the comma in these types of sentences, it can be easy to think that it is connected to the が or たら. However, it is actually more correctly connected logically to the (B) half of the sentence, and states that the 'final state' will end up being that way.
Caution
Occasionally, the (B) phrase will be omitted from these sentences when the negative result is obvious.
- あの人に政治についての意見を求めたら最後だ。It's the end once you ask him for his political opinions. (He won't stop talking after that)
-
先生が注意しなくなったら最後だ。It's the end once your teacher stops giving you advice. (Because it means that they have given up on you)
Examples
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私の彼氏はゲームをいったんやり始めたら最後、どうしても深夜までやめられない。
Once my boyfriend starts playing a game, he can't stop until late at night no matter what.
小説のカスタマーレビュー：「綺麗な話です。読みはじめたら最後、涙がとまりません。」
Customer review of a book: 'What a beautiful story. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop crying.'
口を開いたら最後、自分の意志では止められなくて何時間も喋り続けてしまう。
Once she opens her mouth, she will keep on talking for hours with no intention of stopping.
友達との話：「うちの犬ったらいったん食べ物を見つけたら最後、いっぺんに食べてしまう。」
Chat between friends: 'Once our dog spots food, it eats everything at once.'
その民族が住む島には行ったら最後、生きて帰れる可能性は無いだろう。
Once one goes to the island that that tribe lives on, there is no possibility of returning alive, right?
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