see the light at the end of the tunnel

see the light at the end of the tunnel

To conceptualize or foresee an end to something difficult or unpleasant; to be relatively near to the end or conclusion of some problem or difficulty. I've been working on this book for over a year, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now that the doctors have been able to diagnose what's wrong with me, we might finally be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
See also: end, light, of, see, tunnel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • light at the end of the tunnel
  • anticipointment
  • no end
  • no end of
  • no end of (something)
  • no end of something
  • stick it out
  • make an end of (something)
  • draw to a close
  • stick it to the end
References in periodicals archive
Our challenge as administrators and educators is to make this generation see the light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel is the work, the effort, the time in the classroom or the lab, and the light is what their careers and lives will look like after they get through the tunnel.
Attracting and retaining Millennials
He said: "Really for the first time in three years, for me, I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Bailout is 'right step' ECONOMY
As Corning CEO Jamie Houghton quipped to Chief Executive last month, "We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We just don't know how long the tunnel is."
Amid Gloom, a note of optimism. (Editorials)