Idiom: devil take the hindmost

[Alder]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #70 "What the Devil", question 3

Many people have been made redundant in the takeover and those who joined last were the first to go. The principle of devil take the ......... applied.

(a) final list
(b) old list
(c) hindmost
(d) youngest

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #70 "What the Devil", answer 3

Many people have been made redundant in the takeover and those who joined last were the first to go. The principle of devil take the hindmost applied.

Correct answer: (c) hindmost

Your answer was: incorrect
Many people have been made redundant in the takeover and those who joined last were the first to go. The principle of devil take the final list applied.
_________________________

what does this expression mean?
Thanks,

Alder

[Alan]

Hi Alder,

This expression means the person who is last has to experience the worst fate or the least acceptable conditions. It is therefore a situation that people try to avoid when they can.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Relative Pronoun