1a final part of something, especially a period of time, an activity, or a story:the end of the yearMario led the race from beginning to end
a termination of a state or situation:the party called for an end to violenceone notice will be effective to bring the tenancy to an end
a person’s death:I saw him in hospital a few days before the end
archaic (in biblical use) an ultimate state or condition:the end of that man is peace
2the furthest or most extreme part of something:the church at the end of the road [as modifier]:the end house
British a small piece that is left after use:an ashtray full of cigarette ends
a specified extreme of a scale:homebuyers at the lower end of the market
either of two places linked by a telephone call, letter, or journey:‘Hello,’ said a voice at the other end
either of the halves of a sports field or court defended by one team or player:when they changed ends, the goals kept coming
3a part or person’s share of an activity:you’re going to honour your end of the deal
4a goal or desired result:each would use the other to further his own endsto this end, schools were set up for peasant women
5(in bowls and curling) a session of play in one particular direction across the playing area.
6 American Football a lineman positioned nearest the sideline:a defensive end
ზმნა
Universal
come or bring to a final point; finish: [no object]:when the war ended, policy changedthe chapter ends with a case study [with object]:she wanted to end the relationship
[no object] reach a point and go no further:the surfaced road ends at the farm
[no object] perform a final act:the man ended by attacking a police officer
[no object] (end in) have as its final part or result:the match ended in a draw
[no object] (end up) eventually come to a specified place or situation:I ended up in Eritreayou could end up with a higher income
all ends up
informal completely.
at the end of the day
British informal when everything is taken into consideration:at the end of the day I’m responsible for what happens in the school
be at (or have come to) an end
be finished or completed:negotiations were virtually at an end
(of a supply of something) become exhausted:our patience has come to an end
be at the end of
be close to having no more of (something):she was at the end of her patience
be the end
British informal be the limit of what one can tolerate:you really are the end!
come to (or meet) a sticky end
British be led by one’s own actions to ruin or an unpleasant death:behave yourself or you will come to a sticky end!
end of story
(also Britishend of)
informal used to emphasize that there is nothing to add on a matter just mentioned:Men don’t cry in public. End of story
end one's days (or life)
spend the final part of one’s life in a specified place or state:she ended her days in London
an end in itself
a goal that is pursued in its own right to the exclusion of others:competition is not an end in itself
end in tears
British have an unhappy or unpleasant outcome:this treaty will end in tears
end it all
commit suicide:his life was meaningless without Coleen, so he would end it all
the end justifies the means
wrong or unfair methods may be used if the overall goal is good:we excuse our greed by claiming that the end justifies the means
the end of the road (or line)
the point beyond which progress or survival cannot continue:if the damages award is not lowered it could be the end of the road for the publisherthey’ve been offered compensation and they’ll accept, but only because they feel they’ve reached the end of the line
the end of one's tether (or North Americanrope)
British having no patience or energy left to cope with something:these individuals have reached the end of their tether
the end of the world
the termination of life on the earth.
informal a complete disaster:it’s not the end of the world if we draw
end on
with the end of an object facing towards one:seen end on, their sharp summits point like arrows
with the end of an object touching that of another:stone tiles had been layered end on with incredible skill
end to end
in a row with the end of one object touching that of another:bales were laid end to end for a delivery
get (or have) one's end away
British vulgar slang have sexual intercourse.
in the end
eventually or on reflection:in the end, I saw that she was right
keep (or hold) one's end up
British informal perform well in a difficult or competitive situation:Michael had to keep his end up against attacks
make an end of
cause (someone or something) to stop existing or die:we regret that the printers did not make an end of half-paid female labour
make (both) ends meet
earn just enough money to live on:they were finding it hard to make ends meet
never (or not) hear the end of
be continually reminded of (an unpleasant topic or cause of annoyance):a criminal court which admitted such a defence would never hear the end of it
no end
informal to a great extent; very much:this cheered me up no end
no end of
informal a great deal of:emotions can cause no end of problems
on end
1continuing without stopping for a specified period of time:sometimes they’ll be gone for days on end
2in an upright position:he brushed his hair, leaving a tuft standing on end
put an end to
cause (someone or something) to stop existing or die:injury put an end to his careerhe decided to put an end to himself
the sharp end
informal
1the most important or influential part of an activity or process:he was born at the sharp end of history
the most risky or unpleasant part of a system or activity:businessmen are at the sharp end of the recession
2British humorous the bow of a ship.
a —— to end all ——s
informal used to emphasize how impressive or successful something is of its kind:she is going to throw a party to end all parties
without end
without a limit or boundary:a war without end
world without end
forever or infinitely:the long summer days stretched ahead, world without end