famous last words (plural p)

1. (literally) A notable final utterance before death, especially one made by a celebrity or historical figure.
   • 1908, "“Don't Give Up The Ship.” ↗," New York Times, 5 Jan. (retrieved 2 Oct 2010):

     Lawrence died defending his vessel and his famous last words, "Don't give up the ship," have been familiar to every schoolboy.

   • 1996, Jane Irwin, editor, George Eliot's Daniel Deronda Notebooks‎, →ISBN, page 367:

     When Arria's husband was hesitating to kill himself, she stabbed herself with his dagger, to demonstrate to him how to accomplish a noble suicide. Her famous last words—Paete, non dolet ["Paetus, it does not hurt!"].

2. (figuratively, expressing sarcasm) A statement which is overly optimistic, results from overconfidence, or lacks realistic foresight.