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Final, final warning for snaky type sounds like a touch of desperation (4-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

last-gasp

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'final' is the definition.

'final warning for snaky type sounds like a touch of desperation' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'like' could be 'as' and 'as' is found in the answer.
'a' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for last-gasp that I've seen before include "'Final breath (4,4)'" , "Remnant of energy or final exhalation" , "Final breath or done at the last possible moment of effort" , "Done in desperation (or at the point of death?)" , "Finalk expiration, moment of death" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and The Irish Times.
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