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

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

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

“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

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

From Any Coincidence Is by Daniel Callahan