light at the end of the tunnel

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the time, the used-car market had been upended by the pandemic, and a light at the end of the tunnel was hard to see.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

“Your 50s are a turning point. There may be a light at the end of the tunnel for big expenses like tuition and mortgages and your earning power may be peaking,” Fidelity says.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

In 1967, President Lyndon B Johnson said there was a "light at the end of the tunnel" for ending the Vietnam War.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Nothing seemed to change this week for Nvidia, but there was some light at the end of the tunnel for enterprise software makers, and they’re hoping it’s not a train headed their way.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

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

From Any Coincidence Is by Callahan, Daniel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023