English Reference
Idiom idiom

end in tears


To end badly.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“I think this argument will end in tears.”

CONTEXTUAL

“They started the business without a plan, and I knew it would end in tears.”

COMPLEX

“The reckless gamble, fueled by arrogance and poor judgment, was destined to end in tears for everyone involved.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all ends up

    Completely; totally.

  2. 02

    arse end of nowhere

    A very remote place.

  3. 03

    big end of town

    The top end of town.

  4. 04

    bitter end

    The end of a long and difficult process.

  5. 05

    blood, sweat and tears

    A person's determination and hard work.

  6. 06

    burn the candle at both ends

    To work hard night and day; to sleep late and wake up early; to overwork or overexert oneself.

  7. 07

    burst into tears

    To suddenly start crying or sobbing.

  8. 08

    business end

    The part of an object (chiefly a tool or weapon) that is physically used for its operation, rather than some other part such as the part by which it is held.

Last updated August 10, 2026