the end of the road

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. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

the end of the road

 and the end of the line 

1. 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. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

the end of the road

or

the 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. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

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 © Farlex 2017

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 © Farlex 2017