when all's (is) said and done

when all is said and done

When everything is finished or resolved. Yes, my sister's attempts to commandeer my party have been maddening, but when all is said and done, we'll reconcile—we always do.

See also: all, and, done, said

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

when all's (is) said and done

In the end, nevertheless. This cumbersome locution dates from the sixteenth century. The OED cites Thomas Ingelend in The Disobedient Child (1560): “When all is saide and all is done, Concernynge all thynges both more and lesse.”

See also: and, done, said

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer