at the end of the day

at the end of the day

Ultimately. It's a generous offer, but at the end of the day, I have to choose the job that will be most beneficial for my family. That's just how I feel about your girlfriend. At the end of the day, your relationship is your business.
See also: end, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at the end of the day

 
1. Lit. at the time when work or one's waking hours end. (See also by the end of the day.) I will have an answer at the end of the day. Will this be finished at the end of the day or before?
2. Fig. when everything else has been taken into consideration. At the end of the day you will have to decide where you want to live. The committee interviewed many applicants for the post, but at the end of the day made no appointment.
See also: end, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

at the end of the day

JOURNALISM, SPOKEN
You can use at the end of the day to introduce your main conclusion about something you have been discussing. Yes, but at the end of the day, Neil's not a rock journalist. At the end of the day the only person who can take your life forward from here is you.
See also: end, of
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

at the end of the day

when everything is taken into consideration. British informal
1995 Jayne Miller Voxpop Today I've been giving out leaflets. You don't have to, but at the end of the day, it's worth it.
See also: end, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at the ˌend of the ˈday

(British English, spoken) when everything has been considered: At the end of the day, it’s your decision and nobody else’s.
See also: end, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at the end of the day

When everything is considered; in the final analysis.
See also: end, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

at the end of the day

A cumbersome way of saying “in the end.” It is virtually the same as when all’s said and done, equally long-winded.
See also: end, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • pot luck
  • a good turn
  • be for a good cause
  • be for/in a good cause
  • (it's) just as well (that) (something happened)
  • be worth (one's) while
  • action
  • horse and rabbit stew
  • be more trouble than it's worth
  • all to the good
References in periodicals archive
For example, the five of hearts and Ann Small might become "Ann Hearts." At the end of the day, come back to the card and ask yourself to remember the name.
Remember Scienzia
Money isn't everything at the end of the day. LC, West Jesmond, Newcastle.
Give a thought to residents; YOUR SHOUT
At the end of the day, it''s the system that''s corrupt, not the MPs.
Let's move on; LETTERS to the EDITOR
In Washingtonspeak, there are no standards of measurement, there are only "metrics." The violence abroad is "ethno-sectarian." We must not be seen as "rushing to failure," but rushing to improve security "bottom-up." What is required at the end of the day, along with "boots on the ground" (once known as military troops), is a "robust diplomatic effort."
At the end of the day, it's annoying political banter
At the end of the day she knows she needs more time to find her true love, and so have a conclusion to the story she is telling.
Leavitt, Martine. Keturah and Lord Death
But at the end of the day, when all is said and done, what one variable drives ECB policy decisionmaking?
Why the ECB watches the Fed
This increases the likelihood that when children return from camp at the end of the day or at the end of the summer, parents will be refreshed, available, and accessible again.
Letting go
But at the end of the day, McGinley lost in court, and he now owes Herpolsheimer at least $250,000.
Gratifying outcome
"At the end of the day, when manufacturers are able to set realistic expectations with their customers, they reap the rewards of greater product satisfaction, reuse and higher customer retention.
Supercharging the message: positively impacting the market channel
A vehicle left sitting in mud at the end of the day will be frozen in its tracks the next morning.
Don't rock the boat!
At the end of the day it seems as if the charges under Bill C-45 were used as a bargaining tool to encourage the settlement of the charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Bill C-45 sets precedent for largest OH&S Act fine ever
So at the end of the day, when all has been said and all continues to be done, if you look deep inside yourself and believe, you'll see that you're not lost but have clear direction in where you need to go; you possess the brains to turn problems into solutions; you have the heart it takes to be caring, fair, and just, and the courage to face and overcome any obstacle set before you.
Warrior's corner
At the end of the day, however, what emerges from the Treasury and White House must--to have a reasonable chance of enactment--be marked by realism and pragmatism.
Tax reform: deja vu all over again? Maybe yes, maybe no
The chamber groups performed in a recital at the end of the day for conference participants.
East Central
At the end of the day, we're saying the court can't enforce its opinions."
Indiana rep. urges Bush to defy courts on Commandments