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Survive desert, a place of desperation (4-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

last-ditch

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'a place of desperation' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'survive desert' is the wordplay.
'survive' becomes 'last' (synonyms).
'desert' becomes 'ditch' (ditching is a kind of deserting).
'last'+'ditch'='LAST-DITCH'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for last-ditch that I've seen before include "Final recourse" , "Of an attempt or stand, final and desperate" , "Stitch lad up in final defence" , "Denoting final attempt (to do something)" , "Eleventh hour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Times.
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