ENGLISH
REFERENCE

not the end of the world

idiom
Meaning

(It's of) minor importance, at least not as important as it first seemed.


Examples
SIMPLE

Missing the bus is not the end of the world.

CONTEXTUAL

You failed the test, but do not worry because it is not the end of the world.

COMPLEX

Although the project suffered a significant setback, the manager reminded the team that it was not the end of the world.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all ends up

    Completely; totally.

  2. 02

    all over the world

    throughout the world, everywhere, worldwide, globally.

  3. 03

    arse end of nowhere

    A very remote place.

  4. 04

    best of both worlds

    A combination of two seemingly contradictory benefits.

  5. 05

    big end of town

    The top end of town.

  6. 06

    bitter end

    The end of a long and difficult process.

  7. 07

    burn the candle at both ends

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

  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 April 17, 2026