the end of the road/line
the end of the line
1. The physical end of a route of travel, usually a bus or train route. This is the end of the line, folks, so everyone needs to get off the bus.
2. By extension, the conclusion or final step of something. Printing our report is the end of the line—now, we just have to hand it in and pray for a good grade! Regardless of how this championship series goes, I know this is the end of the line for me, after 16 years in the league.
See also: end, line, of
the end of the road
The conclusion or final step of something. Printing our report is the end of the road—now, we just have to hand it in and pray for a good grade! Regardless of how this championship series goes, I know this is the end of the road for me, after 16 years in the league.
See also: end, of, road
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
the end of the road
and the end of the line1. Lit. the place where the road stops; the end of the route, such as a bus, train, or subway route. Our house is at the end of the road. We drove to the end of the road and began our hike into the mountains.
2. Fig. the end of the whole process. When we reach the end of the road on this project, we'll get paid. You've come to the end of the line. I'll not lend you another penny.
3. Euph. death. When I reach the end of the road, I wish to be buried in a quiet place, near some trees. She was nearly ninety when she came to the end of the line.
See also: end, of, road
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
end of the line
Also, end of the road. The conclusion or final outcome. For example, The editorial pointed out that it was the end of the line for the President; he'd never be reelected , or It was obviously the end of the road for this television series. This idiom alludes to the point where a road or line stops. [c. 1900]
See also: end, line, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
the end of the road
orthe end of the line
COMMON
1. You use the end of the road or the end of the line to describe a point in a situation after which someone or something can no longer continue or survive. The administration realises now that they've come to the end of the road of their policy. Failure to beat Poland at Wembley in the next match will almost certainly spell the end of the line for the England manager.
2. If you talk about the end of the road or the end of the line, you mean what will eventually happen as a result of someone's actions. We believe the sums do not add up. At the end of the line there will be bankruptcy for some. I see bloodshed at the end of the road, he said, and I see disaster for my country.
See also: end, of, road
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
the end of the road (or line)
the point beyond which progress or survival cannot continue.See also: end, of, road
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
the ˌend of the ˈroad/ˈline
the point where somebody/something cannot continue: The workers see the closure of the pit as the end of the line for mining in this area. It’s the end of the road for our relationship. We just can’t agree about anything any more.See also: end, line, of, road
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- end of the line
- the end of the line
- be the end of the road
- at the end of the line
- double-decker
- take to one's heels, to
- come to a bad end
- come to a bad/sticky end
- count
- count heads