untimely

come to an end

To wind down to an ending or conclusion. Festivities came to an end well after the sun had risen the next morning. I'm just dreading when the nice summer weather finally comes to an end. That play's lengthy run on Broadway comes to an end tonight.

See also: an, come, end, to

come to an untimely end

1. To die, usually at a young age. That poor little girl came to untimely end because her illness worsened so quickly. Unfortunately, the kitten we rescued came to an untimely end—its injuries were just too severe. I can't believe you would drive so recklessly! Are you trying to come to an untimely end?

2. To end abruptly. Once he was linked to that scandal, his career in politics came to an untimely end. Did your project come to an untimely end once funding was stopped? Ours did. Sounds like work on the tax legislation has come to an untimely end.

See also: an, come, end, to, untimely

meet an untimely end

1. To die, usually at a young age. That poor little girl met an untimely end because her illness worsened so quickly.

2. To fail, collapse, or cease abruptly. Once he became linked to the scandal, his career in politics met an untimely end. Did your project meet an untimely end once funding was stopped? Ours did.

See also: an, end, meet, untimely

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

come to an untimely end

Fig. to come to an early death. Poor Mr. Jones came to an untimely end in a car accident. Cancer caused Mrs. Smith to come to an untimely end.

See also: an, come, end, to, untimely

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

come to an end

1. Conclude, terminate, as in the familiar proverb, All things come to an end, stated by Geoffrey Chaucer in Troilus and Cressida (c. 1374).

2. come to a bad end; come to no good. Have a bad outcome or die in an unpleasant way. For example, I always suspected this venture would come to no good, or Her parents feared he would come to a bad end.

3. come to or meet an untimely end . Die at a young age, terminate much sooner than desired or expected. For example, The blow was fatal, causing the young boxer to meet an untimely end, or Our partnership came to an untimely end when I became too ill to work. Also see dead end.

See also: an, come, end, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.