light at the end of the tunnel

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light at the end of the tunnel

The end of a difficult situation or task, the solution to a difficult problem. For example, It's taken three years to effect this merger, but we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel . This metaphoric expression dates from the 1800s, but became widespread only in the mid-1900s.

light at the end of the tunnel

COMMON If there is light at the end of the tunnel, there is hope that a difficult situation might be coming to an end. After horrific times we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. People feel hopeless. They don't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

light at the end of the tunnel

The prospect of success, relief, or escape after strenuous effort.

See also: end, light, of, tunnel

References in periodicals archive ?

Whenever possible, let them see, feel, smell and experience the light at the end of the tunnel.

Attracting and retaining Millennials

The CEOs who are going to be able to actually bask in the light at the end of the tunnel are those who do not become consumed by the pessimism of the moment and do not allow a sense of paralysis to creep into their organizations.

Amid Gloom, a note of optimism. (Editorials)

Some of the emotionally wounded are emerging from the shock phase of recovery, seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, but most importantly, gathering a sense of mission about what happened and what must be done.

Needed: determination and vision. (President's Page)

However, as Bishop Jim Cruickshank visited communities to reassure people, "we began to see that light at the end of the tunnel.

Land claims are top priority, (David) Crawley tells Kootenay synod

com, two of the leaders in the market, say they see light at the end of the tunnel.

Insurance aggregators see opportunity in tough market. (Technology)

The light at the end of the tunnel that is being promised is that ultimately, the industry will be better off when capacity is more in line with demand.

Editor's focus

Pembrokeshire council's food and craft officer Kate Morgan said the market represented a light at the end of the tunnel for many small producers in Pembrokeshire who, although there had been no foot-andmouth outbreak in the county, had suffered as a result of the epidemic.

Around Wales: Pembrokeshire

He presents a hopeful message that sexual addiction can be overcome and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Matters of Faith

2 MICHEL HOUELLEBECQ, THE ELEMENTARY PARTICLES (Knopf, 2000) Ideal summer reading: unremittingly depressing, with little or no light at the end of the tunnel.

Top ten

That was very tempting but we still thought we could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Warren Communications passes 40-year-old torch

It is a world with no light at the end of the tunnel .

Describing the Real World

The hundreds of children at the Waterfront sang the integrated schools theme: "There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel.

John Hunter's column: Pupils proving they're in tune with the times

Whether the cause is arthritis, nerve pain such as sciatica, or soft tissue pain following an injury, it can last such a long time that the light at the end of the tunnel flickers and fades, and despair sets in.

Chronic pain--when the light at the end of the tunnel dims

Now they claim to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The drug war is only a hallucination

Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair hailed the breakthrough in hopes of lifting the British beef export ban telling MPs there was now "some light at the end of the tunnel.