the end of the line


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the end of the line

1. The physical end of a route of travel, usually a bus or train route. This is the end of the line, folks, so everyone needs to get off the bus.
2. By extension, the conclusion or final step of something. Printing our report is the end of the line—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 line for me, after 16 years in the league.
See also: end, line, of

end of the line

Also, end of the road. The conclusion or final outcome. For example, The editorial pointed out that it was the end of the line for the President; he'd never be reelected , or It was obviously the end of the road for this television series. This idiom alludes to the point where a road or line stops. [c. 1900]
See also: end, line, of

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
References in periodicals archive ?
As they moved to what seemed the end of the line, they found an empty shuttle bus waiting for them.
NEW REALITY AT LAX AIR TRAVELERS FACE LINES, DELAYS
And the assemblyman representing Mission thinks that campus is at the end of the line in the Los Angeles district, with a small campus that still needs to use classrooms at local high schools.
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It makes sense to put Swanson back at the end of the line as a pass-rushing specialist on a defense that has allowed 119 points and 1,255 yards in its last two games, both losses.
CSUN NOTEBOOK: BOTTOM LINE: SWANSON MOVE
The deal made under intense lobbying by Mayor Richard Riordan and MTA Chief Executive Officer Julian Burke leaves the San Fernando Valley at the end of the line for rail funding or busway projects.
MTA GETS LEEWAY IN EASTSIDE; DEAL COULD IMPEDE TRANSIT FOR VALLEY
Sometimes you can line up the center on the end of the line and use him as an eligible receiver.
PREVIEW: SMALL-SCHOOL TEAMS PLAY BIG
Republican had carried his checkbook, he would have slipped a check into Clinton's hand before the charmer had come to the end of the line.
`HI, Y'ALL, MY NAME'S BILL'; PRESIDENT'S ABILITY TO CHARM THE CHECK OUT OF A LIFELONG REPUBLICAN SHOWS WHAT REALLY HAPPENS AT THOSE COFFEES
6 from Vancouver, traveling through the Coast Mountains, the Peace River area, Cariboo Gold Rush country and the Rockies before reaching the end of the line at Fort Nelson.
TOURS, ETC.: SEEING NEW ENGLAND IN FALL
Obviously, in its quest to suck up to Washington for further funding, the MTA puts the riders' needs at the back of the bus, or at the end of the line.
WE NEED LIGHT RAIL IN THE VALLEY AND WE NEED IT NOW
This was the end of the line for the 10-year-old Rwandan boy.
RWANDAN REFUGEES CLING TO LIFE IN CAMPS; OTHERS SUFFER WORSE FATE
Dawson wasn't the end of the line, but it was close enough for us.
ON THE YUKON TRAIL\It's a trip of washboard roads, eccentric towns stuck in time
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