end of the ball game

the end of the ball game

euphemism The terminal point of something; the point at which someone or something fails, ends, or is ruined. Our company has had a good run, but after this latest sales disappointment, it's looking like the end of the ball game for us. We've got to hold our positions. If the enemy manages to surround us, it will be the end of the ball game—understand? It'll be the end of the ball game for you if Mom and Dad find out that you snuck out last night.
See also: ball, end, game, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

end of the ball game

n. the end of everything. It looked like the end of the ball game as we sped too fast around the curve.
See also: ball, end, game, of
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • the end of the ball game
  • come to the point
  • come to the point and get to the point
  • come/get to the point
  • get to the point
  • get to the point, to
  • it's all over but the shouting
  • all over but the shouting, it's
  • all over bar the shouting
  • it's all over bar the shouting
References in periodicals archive
END OF THE BALL GAME Tonight's clash could be the last time Lionel Messi plays in an Argentina shirt
WHY WE NEVER SAW THE BEST OF MESSI; Shambolic tactics and lack of support from team-mates
'Nawala rin post threat namin kaya medyo na-caught off guard kami pero we were in the game and it was just a matter of us grinding it out until the end of the ball game and we don't have to be frustrated even if the game wasn't going with us.'
NLEX caught off guard by Taulava's late suspension
* Closeness in score and lead changes are more important toward the end of the ball game.
The most exciting World Series games: a mathematical approach