end of the line

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

end of the line

When it finally picked up, I was briefly horrified by what sounded like screaming on the other end of the line.

From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2026

“Travelers usually are at the end of the line to see any money,” said Katy Nastro, a spokesperson with Going, a travel-deals company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026

A man on the other end of the line replies.

From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026

Several of the candidates mired near the bottom of polls — Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra, Betty Yee — are probably looking at the end of the line if they lose this race.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026

Thanks to Marjory Muldauer, Kyle would have to dash to the very end of the line.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein