At the end of the day
/æt ð ɛnd əv ð deɪ/
Definition
The meaning: At the end of the day is an idiomatic expression used to indicate the final conclusion or ultimate outcome of a situation after considering all factors.
La signification: L'expression anglaise at the end of the day, qui signifie "quand tout est dit et fait", peut se traduire en français par "au bout du compte", "en fin de compte", "au final" ou encore "tout compte fait". Elle est utilisée pour introduire une conclusion après avoir pesé différents arguments ou circonstances. Cette expression met l'accent sur l'idée que, malgré les discussions ou les événements intermédiaires, il y a un résultat ou une vérité essentielle qui reste inchangée.
Note: This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to summarise a discussion or emphasise what truly matters in a situation.
Word Analysis
French synonyms
» En fin de compte
» Finalement
» Au bout du compte
» Tout bien considéré
» Après tout
A: Nous avons débat sur les différentes options, mais en fin de compte, nous avons choisi la plus simple.
B: Oui, au bout du compte, c'était la meilleure décision.
English synonyms
» Ultimately
» In the end
» When all is said and done
» After all
» All things considered
A: We've weighed all the pros and cons, and at the end of the day, this is the best choice.
B: Absolutely, when all is said and done, it makes the most sense.
Dialogue
Thabo: "I've been working so hard, but I still feel like I'm not getting ahead."
Mphu: "Well, at the end of the day, what matters is that you're doing your best."
Thabo: "True, but it's frustrating when results don't show."
Mphu: "Just keep going—at the end of the day, effort counts for something."
Etymology
Origin: The phrase at the end of the day originally had a literal meaning, referring to the conclusion of a day's work or activities. By the early 20th century, it evolved into a metaphorical expression meaning "when everything is considered" or "ultimately." It gained widespread popularity in business, politics, and everyday speech as a way to summarize key points or final thoughts. The phrase is often used similarly to "when all is said and done", emphasising a conclusive perspective.
Audience
The phrase "at the end of the day" is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to introduce a summary or ultimate truth. It's particularly prevalent in business discussions, political commentary, and personal conversations when someone wants to emphasise what really matters after considering all factors.
When to use: Use this phrase when you want to conclude a discussion or emphasise the most important point after considering various aspects. For example: "At the end of the day, customer satisfaction is what keeps us in business," or "At the end of the day, we all want what's best for our families." While versatile, it can become clichéd if overused in professional writing.
Dictionary Meaning
Cambridge says the expression "emphasises what is true or important." Here's a provided example of use:
'At the end of the day, only one person can win.'
News Snippet
"At the end of the day I can’t abandon hope, because if I did, what would I do with the remains of my life? Luckily, as so often happens, the wise words of other activists came to my rescue, in this case the closing lines of Alicia Garza’s The Purpose of Power."
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
Extra! Extra!
For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day, watch the following…Video Lesson One
Video Lesson Two
WordReference
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Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "At the End of the Day"
When All Is Said and Done
Indicates that after everything has been considered, the final outcome or conclusion remains.
Example: "When all is said and done, we need to focus on what truly matters."
Ultimately
Refers to the final result or conclusion after all factors have been considered.
Example: "Ultimately, it’s your decision to make."
In the Final Analysis
Used to indicate the final assessment or conclusion after considering all aspects.
Example: "In the final analysis, we achieved our goals."
At the End of the Line
Suggests reaching a conclusion or final point in a process or situation.
Example: "At the end of the line, we all want the same thing."
Bottom Line
Refers to the most important point or conclusion that can be drawn from a situation.
Example: "The bottom line is that we need to improve our sales."
In the End
Indicates the final outcome or conclusion of a situation after all considerations.
Example: "In the end, we were all satisfied with the results."
After All Is Said and Done
Emphasizes the conclusion after everything has been considered or discussed.
Example: "After all is said and done, we have to move forward."
At Long Last
Indicates the final outcome after a long wait or delay.
Example: "At long last, we reached an agreement."
In Summary
Used to introduce a brief overview or conclusion after discussing various points.
Example: "In summary, we need to reevaluate our strategy."
In Conclusion
A phrase used to summarize the main points or findings at the end of a discussion.
Example: "In conclusion, we have made significant progress this year."
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