ENGLISH
REFERENCE

end of the line

idiom
Meaning

The final cessation or discontinuance of a process, institution, lineage, or person, especially one which has existed for a considerable period of time; death.


Examples
SIMPLE

This old car is at the end of the line.

CONTEXTUAL

After twenty years of declining sales, the company finally reached the end of the line and closed its doors.

COMPLEX

The aging monarch realized he had reached the end of the line, leaving his kingdom to face an uncertain future without his guidance.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    arse end of nowhere

    A very remote place.

  2. 02

    big end of town

    The top end of town.

  3. 03

    bitter end

    The end of a long and difficult process.

  4. 04

    blur the line

    To minimize or erode the distinction between two things.

  5. 05

    bottom line

    The summary or result; the most important information.

  6. 06

    bottom of the line

    The worst or lowest quality on the market, especially among a range of products.

  7. 07

    bright line

    A clear distinction in the context of a legal, moral, ethical, or analytical judgment.

  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.

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