at the end of the day

American  

[at thee end uhv thuh dey] / ˌæt ði ˈɛnd əv ðə ˈdeɪ /

idiom

1. after everything is considered or accounted for; ultimately.

   At the end of the day, we went for simpler printers that just do their job as soon as you click “print” on your device.

   “Yes, cost and convenience matter, but at the end of the day, it’s about the welfare of our children,” she said.

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Etymology

Origin of at the end of the day

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

at the end of the day

"If at the end of the day these products are approved, I see nothing good coming out of it," he said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

"I want to bring this discussion to mission teams, because, at the end of the day, it's not theoretical -- it's a reality that we're going to go there," Sinibaldi said.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026

"We do have a romantic view of the pub, but they are a business at the end of the day," he added.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

Mora said that, at the end of the day, some people even came to the orchard to pick up the fruit that had been tossed to the side.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

I was fired at the end of the day.

From "Milkweed" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• finally
• in the course of time
• one day
• someday
• sooner or later
• ultimately