📒 the final part of a period of time, an event, an activity or a story
- It's the end of an era.
- the end of the book
- at the end of something at the end of the week
📒 a situation in which something does not exist any more
- It was the end of all his dreams.
- That was by no means the end of the matter.
- at an end The war was finally at an end.
📒 the part of an object or a place that is the furthest away from its centre
- I joined the end of the queue.
- Go to the end of the line!
- at the end of something Turn right at the end of the road.
📒 an aim or a purpose
- They are prepared to use violence in pursuit of their ends.
- She is exploiting the current situation for her own ends.
- He joined the society for political ends.
📒 a part of an activity with which somebody is involved, especially in business
- We need somebody to handle the marketing end of the business.
- Are there any problems at your end?
- I have kept my end of the bargain.
📒 either of two places connected by a phone call, journey, etc.
- I answered the phone but there was no one at the other end.
- Jean is going to meet me at the other end.
📒 one of the two halves of a sports field
- The teams changed ends at half-time.
📒 a small piece that is left after something has been used
📒 a person’s death. People say ‘end’ to avoid saying ‘death’.
- She came to an untimely end (= died young).
- I was with him at the end (= when he died).
- (literary) He met his end (= died) at the Battle of Waterloo.
📒 a lineman who is nearest to the side of the field
- a defensive end
- He does as good a job as any end in football at helping his teammates.
📒 used to introduce the most important fact after everything has been considered
- At the end of the day, he'll still have to make his own decision.
📒 having nothing to do and not knowing what you want to do
- Come and see us, if you're at a loose end.
📒 something unpleasant that happens to somebody, for example punishment or a violent death, usually because of their own actions
- He'll come to a sticky end one of these days if he carries on like that.
📒 to have almost nothing left of something
- I'm at the end of my patience.
- They are at the end of their food supply.
📒 to feel that you cannot deal with a difficult situation any more because you are too tired, worried, etc.
- You’d better let her know you’re safe. She’s at the end of her tether.
📒 to be the person that an action, etc. is directed at, especially an unpleasant one
- She found herself on the receiving end of a great deal of criticism.
📒 to be so worried by a problem that you do not know what to do next
- She was at her wits’ end wondering how she’d manage it all in the time.
- I'm at my wits' end trying to cope with his moods.
📒 when you say that people or situations are the end, you mean that you are annoyed with them
📒 the first sign of something ending
- The scandal was the beginning of the end of his career as a politician.
- It wasn't the end of their marriage, but it was the beginning of the end.
- That day was the beginning of the end of our friendship.
📒 to become very tired by trying to do too many things and going to bed late and getting up early
📒 a thing that is itself important and not just a part of something more important
- For her, shopping had become an end in itself.
- For her, travelling had become an end in itself rather than a means of seeing new places.
📒 bad or unfair methods of doing something are acceptable if the result of that action is good or positive
- He defended a morality in which the end justifies the means.
- That's only OK if you believe that the end justifies the means.
📒 (to reach) the point at which something can no longer continue in the same way
- A defeat in the second round marked the end of the line for last year's champion.
- The loss of this contract could signal the end of the line for the shipyard.
- This latest disagreement could mean the end of the road for the band.
📒 used when you are stating that there is nothing more that can be said or done about something
- If she doesn’t agree, I won’t go ahead. End of story.
📒 in a line, with the ends touching
- They arranged the tables end to end.
📒 to have sex
📒 to be the person in a group who is chosen or forced to perform an unpleasant duty or task
📒 to understand something in the wrong way
📒 to suddenly become very angry or emotional
📒 to do everything possible, even if it is difficult, in order to get or achieve something
- I'd go to the ends of the earth to see her again.
📒 after a long period of time or series of events
- He tried various jobs and in the end became an accountant.
- In the end, they decided to spend Christmas at home.
📒 after everything has been considered
- You can try your best to impress the interviewers but in the end it's often just a question of luck.
📒 to start or be made to start a new and difficult activity that you are not prepared for
- Junior hospital doctors are thrown in at the deep end in their first jobs.
- The company believes in throwing new employees in at the deep end with no training.
📒 to continue to be cheerful in a difficult situation
📒 something that shows you are nearly at the end of a long and difficult time or situation
- For the first time since the start of his treatment, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel.
📒 to earn just enough money to be able to buy the things you need
- Many families struggle to make ends meet.
📒 to shock or frighten somebody
- a chilling tale that will make your hair stand on end
📒 a thing or an action that is not interesting or important in itself but is a way of achieving something else
- He doesn't particularly like the work but he sees it as a means to an end.
- I don't enjoy studying computing—it's just a means to an end.
📒 very much
- It upset me no end to hear they'd split up.
📒 a lot of something
- We had no end of trouble getting them to agree.
📒 not the worst thing that could happen to somebody
- Failing one exam is not the end of the world.
- It won't be the end of the world if you don't get the job.
📒 to keep being reminded of something because somebody is always talking to you about it
- If we don't get her a dog we'll never hear the end of it.
📒 in a position standing upright rather than lying flat
- It'll fit if you stand it on end.
- Stand the box on end.
- Stand it on end.
📒 for the stated length of time, without stopping
- He would disappear for weeks on end.
📒 to kill yourself
📒 a situation in which somebody is treated badly or unfairly
📒 the place or position of greatest difficulty or responsibility
- He started work at the sharp end of the business, as a salesman.
📒 an event or action that is the beginning of something more serious and/or unpleasant
- The introduction of a tax on workplace parking is seen by many as the thin end of the wedge.
📒 continuing until you have done everything you can, or until something is completely finished, despite difficulties and problems
- They were prepared to fight to the bitter end for their rights.
- We will fight this case to the bitter end.