How to Pronounce "famous last words"
expression
FAY-muss LAST WURDZ
FAY-muss LAHST WURDZ
Definition
Used humorously to point out that someone is too confident that something bad or ironic won’t happen, often right before it actually does. It does not mean literal last words before dying.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈfeɪməs/ /ˈɫæs/, /ˈɫæst/ /ˈwɝdz
British English
fˈeɪməs/ /lˈɑːst/ /wˈɜːdz
Simplified Pronunciation
US
FAY-muss LAST WURDZ
UK
FAY-muss LAHST WURDZ
Listen in Context
"What could possibly go wrong?" — "Famous last words."
He said, "This is easy," but famous last words—he failed the test.
"I'll never drop my phone." Famous last words—she broke it the same day.
"Don’t worry, the car just got serviced." "Famous last words—it broke down an hour later."