light at the end of the tunnel

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

light at the end of the tunnel

Despite the looming heatwave, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared that "we are indeed turning the tide, and we can begin to see light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against these fires".

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

“There is clearly light at the end of the tunnel here,” Ortberg said at a May investor conference.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

"The charges brought against the four… is reassuring that there is light at the end of the tunnel for women and girls in Sierra Leone," Sesay said.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

Still, sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is not always visible from behind a classroom sewing machine.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

Oh great, Julia thought, a light at the end of the tunnel.

From Any Coincidence Is by Daniel Callahan