it'll (all) end in tears

it'll (all) end in tears

Something is doomed to fail and cause a lot of heartache to everyone involved. I just don't think your personalities are a good match. I'm afraid it'll all end in tears. Everyone knew that their business venture would end in tears.

See also: end, tear

it'll end in tears

When people say it'll end in tears, they mean that they think a situation will end badly, with people being upset. Boris got himself involved in a relationship with a foreigner that was destined to end in tears. Markets are not stable, and for many companies and investors, it could well end in tears.

See also: end, tear

end in tears

have an unhappy or unpleasant outcome (often used as a warning). British

1992 Iain Banks The Crow Road Well, let them get married. The earlier the better; it would end in tears. Let them rush into it, let them repent at leisure.

See also: end, tear

ˌend in ˈtears

(spoken) if you say that something will end in tears, you are warning somebody that what they are doing will have an unhappy or unpleasant result: You’d better keep your promise or it’ll end in tears.

See also: end, tear