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end of the road

ɛnd əv ðə roʊd

Travel
neutral
beginner
Literally:
the point where a road terminates

What does "end of the road" mean?

the point at which something can no longer continue

Examples

  • After ten years of marriage, they both agreed they had reached the end of the road.
  • This is the end of the road for negotiations.
  • The detective hit the end of the road when his last lead turned out to be false.

Origin

A straightforward metaphor from physical travel.

How to use it

Used to describe the conclusion of a process, relationship, or endeavor.

Similar expressions

end of the line
dead end
the final straw

Opposites

a new beginning
the starting point

Related idioms

  • hit the road

    To leave or depart on a journey

  • in the same boat

    In the same difficult situation as someone else

  • miss the boat

    To miss an opportunity

  • go the extra mile

    to make more effort than is expected or required

  • a long way to go

    much more work or progress is needed before completion

  • that ship has sailed

    The opportunity has passed

Use it in a practice answer

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