Sometimes, things must come to an end. It could be the last day of school, the final episode of a favorite show, or saying goodbye to someone. Endings are a part of life, and they happen all around us. People have made special phrases, called idioms, to talk about these moments. These idioms help explain how we feel when something finishes.
In this article, we will explore idioms about endings. Each one has a meaning that helps us understand different kinds of endings. Whether it’s something happy, sad, or just part of growing up, these idioms help us talk about it clearly. Let’s learn 38 idioms about endings and see how people use them in everyday life.
Idioms About Endings
1. All good things must come to an end
Meaning: Nice moments can’t last forever.
Example Sentence:
• Summer break was fun, but all good things must come to an end.
• The movie was great, but it had to end.
Other ways to say: Nothing lasts forever, everything ends
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying has been used since the 1300s in poems and stories.
Usage: Used when something nice or fun is ending.
2. Draw the curtain
Meaning: To bring something to a close.
Example Sentence:
• The play drew the curtain after the final scene.
• We drew the curtain on the school year with a party.
Other ways to say: End, close out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from theaters using curtains to end a show.
Usage: Used to talk about finishing an event or activity.
3. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working or doing something for now.
Example Sentence:
• After hours of homework, I called it a day.
• The workers called it a day when the sun went down.
Other ways to say: Stop, take a break
Fun Fact/Origin: Started as a way to say the workday was over.
Usage: Used when stopping a task or activity.
4. Bite the dust
Meaning: To fail or come to an end.
Example Sentence:
• My favorite video game console finally bit the dust.
• The old bike bit the dust after years of riding.
Other ways to say: Break down, stop working
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cowboy times when someone fell face-first into the dirt.
Usage: Used when something stops working or is over.
5. Close the book on it
Meaning: To finish something and not return to it.
Example Sentence:
• After writing my report, I closed the book on it.
• The team closed the book on a long season.
Other ways to say: Finish, end
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from closing a book once you’re done reading.
Usage: Used when something is officially done.
6. End of the line
Meaning: The final point or limit.
Example Sentence:
• That’s the end of the line for my snack stash!
• When the bus reached the end, the driver said, “End of the line!”
Other ways to say: The finish, the last stop
Fun Fact/Origin: Started with train routes ending at the last station.
Usage: Used when something is completely over.
7. Hit the brakes
Meaning: To slow down or stop.
Example Sentence:
• We had to hit the brakes on our game night.
• Mom hit the brakes on our weekend plans.
Other ways to say: Stop, slow down
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cars needing to stop fast.
Usage: Used when ending or stopping suddenly.
8. That’s a wrap
Meaning: Something is finished.
Example Sentence:
• We finished filming the video—“That’s a wrap!”
• After cleaning, Dad said, “That’s a wrap for today.”
Other ways to say: Done, finished
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from making movies when filming ends.
Usage: Used when completing a task or project.
9. Bring down the curtain
Meaning: To end a performance or situation.
Example Sentence:
• The school year brought down the curtain with a talent show.
• The band brought down the curtain on their final tour.
Other ways to say: Finish, conclude
Fun Fact/Origin: Also from theater—curtains close at the end.
Usage: Used when something finishes formally or emotionally.
10. Pull the plug
Meaning: To stop something from continuing.
Example Sentence:
• They pulled the plug on the game when it got too wild.
• The school pulled the plug on the field trip due to rain.
Other ways to say: Cancel, end
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from unplugging machines to turn them off.
Usage: Used when stopping a plan or project.
11. Tie up loose ends
Meaning: To finish the last small parts of something.
Example Sentence:
• I tied up loose ends before submitting my science project.
• The teacher tied up loose ends before summer break.
Other ways to say: Finalize, wrap things up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sewing or rope-making.
Usage: Used when finishing up details.
12. Curtains for (something)
Meaning: It’s the end for something or someone.
Example Sentence:
• When the ice cream melted, it was curtains for dessert.
• He didn’t study—so it was curtains for his quiz.
Other ways to say: Over, done
Fun Fact/Origin: Again from stage plays; curtain drop means the end.
Usage: Used for dramatic or sudden endings.
13. Leave it at that
Meaning: To stop talking or doing more.
Example Sentence:
• We disagreed, so we left it at that.
• I didn’t like the movie, but I’ll leave it at that.
Other ways to say: Drop it, move on
Fun Fact/Origin: A simple phrase used in arguments or decisions.
Usage: Used when deciding to stop.
14. Nail in the coffin
Meaning: A final act that ends something.
Example Sentence:
• Skipping practice was the nail in the coffin for his spot on the team.
• Losing the last game was the nail in the coffin.
Other ways to say: Final straw, last blow
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from coffins being sealed shut.
Usage: Used for final events causing an ending.
15. Pack it in
Meaning: To stop doing something, often after giving up.
Example Sentence:
• After trying for hours, we packed it in.
• The rain made us pack it in and go home.
Other ways to say: Quit, stop
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from boxing and traveling.
Usage: Used when ending something without success.
16. Say goodbye to (something)
Meaning: To accept that something is over.
Example Sentence:
• I said goodbye to my summer plans when I got sick.
• Say goodbye to fun if you skip chores!
Other ways to say: Let go, accept the end
Fun Fact/Origin: Common farewell phrase.
Usage: Used when something is gone or won’t return.
17. Hang up your boots
Meaning: To stop doing a job or activity for good.
Example Sentence:
• The coach finally hung up his boots after 30 years.
• She hung up her boots after dancing for years.
Other ways to say: Retire, quit
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in sports and military life.
Usage: Used when someone stops forever.
18. Go out with a bang
Meaning: To finish in an exciting way.
Example Sentence:
• The school party went out with a bang—fireworks!
• The team ended the season with a bang by winning.
Other ways to say: End with excitement, finish strong
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from loud final events.
Usage: Used when something ends with celebration.
19. Reach the end of the road
Meaning: To get to the point where something can’t continue.
Example Sentence:
• The old computer reached the end of the road.
• We reached the end of the road in our group project.
Other ways to say: Finish, stop
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from travel language.
Usage: Used when something can’t go on.
20. Final nail
Meaning: The last thing that causes something to end.
Example Sentence:
• Being late again was the final nail.
• The storm was the final nail for the beach day.
Other ways to say: Last straw, ending moment
Fun Fact/Origin: From sealing wooden boxes or coffins.
Usage: Used to mark a sure ending.
21. Shut down
Meaning: To stop working or operating.
Example Sentence:
• The store shut down after 50 years.
• We shut down the computer for the night.
Other ways to say: Close, power off
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from machines and business.
Usage: Used for technology or places stopping.
22. Put to bed
Meaning: To finish something completely.
Example Sentence:
• We put the argument to bed and moved on.
• I put my homework to bed and went outside.
Other ways to say: Wrap up, finish
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from publishing when a newspaper is ready.
Usage: Used to show something is fully done.
23. End in tears
Meaning: To finish badly or sadly.
Example Sentence:
• Their game ended in tears after a big fight.
• The fun day ended in tears when I lost my toy.
Other ways to say: Finish sadly, end badly
Fun Fact/Origin: A simple image of a sad ending.
Usage: Used for sad or unhappy finishes.
24. Run its course
Meaning: To go from beginning to natural end.
Example Sentence:
• The show ran its course after ten seasons.
• My interest in that game has run its course.
Other ways to say: End naturally, fade
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used for time or illness.
Usage: Used when something finishes by itself.
25. Wash your hands of it
Meaning: To stop being involved.
Example Sentence:
• He washed his hands of the group project after too many fights.
• She washed her hands of that argument.
Other ways to say: Be done with, stop caring
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from ancient traditions of leaving something behind.
Usage: Used when choosing to walk away from something.
26. Light at the end of the tunnel
Meaning: The ending is near after a hard time.
Example Sentence:
• After all that studying, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel—summer break!
• We’re almost done painting—light at the end of the tunnel!
Other ways to say: Almost done, close to finishing
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from walking through tunnels.
Usage: Used to talk about a hard time almost ending.
27. Drop the mic
Meaning: To end with style or confidence.
Example Sentence:
• He answered the last question perfectly—mic drop!
• After my speech, I dropped the mic and walked off.
Other ways to say: End with pride, finish strong
Fun Fact/Origin: From singers or rappers ending shows.
Usage: Used for cool or confident endings.
28. Cross the finish line
Meaning: To complete something.
Example Sentence:
• After weeks of work, we crossed the finish line on our science fair project.
• I finally crossed the finish line of the long book.
Other ways to say: Complete, finish
Fun Fact/Origin: From racing.
Usage: Used when something is done.
29. Wrap things up
Meaning: To complete a task.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s wrap things up before lunch.
• We wrapped up our art project today.
Other ways to say: Finish, bring to a close
Fun Fact/Origin: Think of wrapping a gift—you’re done!
Usage: Used in everyday talk for finishing work.
30. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up.
Example Sentence:
• After three tries, I threw in the towel.
• He threw in the towel during the video game.
Other ways to say: Quit, surrender
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from boxing—throwing a towel means quitting.
Usage: Used when someone stops trying.
31. Dead end
Meaning: A point where nothing more can be done.
Example Sentence:
• That idea was a dead end, so we picked another.
• Our road trip reached a dead end.
Other ways to say: No way forward, blocked
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from road signs.
Usage: Used when a plan or path doesn’t work.
32. Kick the bucket
Meaning: A funny way to say someone died.
Example Sentence:
• The old cartoon said the robot kicked the bucket.
• My game character kicked the bucket again!
Other ways to say: Die, pass away
Fun Fact/Origin: Very old saying, still used today.
Usage: Used for endings involving death (used lightly or with humor).
33. Bottom line
Meaning: The final decision or result.
Example Sentence:
• The bottom line is, we can’t afford the new toy.
• After all that talk, the bottom line is we’re done.
Other ways to say: Final point, result
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from business totals.
Usage: Used to say the final decision.
34. Put a lid on it
Meaning: To stop or end something quickly.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s put a lid on the noise, please!
• The teacher put a lid on the chatter.
Other ways to say: Quiet down, stop
Fun Fact/Origin: Like putting a lid on a boiling pot.
Usage: Used when stopping behavior or activity.
35. End of the story
Meaning: Nothing more to say.
Example Sentence:
• I’m not changing my mind—end of the story.
• No more cookies. End of the story!
Other ways to say: That’s it, no more
Fun Fact/Origin: From stories or fairy tales.
Usage: Used to close a discussion.
36. The final curtain
Meaning: The last moment of a show or event.
Example Sentence:
• The concert ended with the final curtain.
• This game was their final curtain as a team.
Other ways to say: Last part, the end
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from theater.
Usage: Used for dramatic or big endings.
37. Over and done with
Meaning: Finished for good.
Example Sentence:
• That test is over and done with!
• The argument is over and done with—let’s move on.
Other ways to say: Finished, done
Fun Fact/Origin: A simple way to say something is complete.
Usage: Used when something is truly finished.
38. End on a high note
Meaning: To finish with something good.
Example Sentence:
• We ended the party on a high note with cake.
• The season ended on a high note with a win.
Other ways to say: Finish strong, end well
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from music—high notes are exciting.
Usage: Used when things end in a happy way.
Quiz: Idioms About Endings
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “call it a day” mean?
A) Start working again
B) Stop doing something
C) Take a short break
2. If someone says “That’s a wrap,” what are they talking about?
A) Making a sandwich
B) Starting something new
C) Finishing something
3. What does “bite the dust” mean?
A) Eat food on the ground
B) Fall or fail
C) Take a nap
4. If a person wants to “tie up loose ends,” what are they doing?
A) Wrapping presents
B) Finishing final details
C) Starting a new task
5. What does “hang up your boots” mean?
A) Put shoes away
B) Quit or retire from something
C) Start running
6. What does “end on a high note” mean?
A) Finish loudly
B) Finish in a good way
C) Sing a song
7. If someone says “pull the plug,” what are they doing?
A) Stopping something
B) Fixing something
C) Turning on the lights
8. What does “throw in the towel” mean?
A) Do laundry
B) Give up
C) Start a new job
9. If you hear “light at the end of the tunnel,” what does it mean?
A) There’s a light nearby
B) A fun time is starting
C) A hard time is almost over
10. What does “shut down” mean in everyday use?
A) Get louder
B) Keep going
C) Stop working or close
11. If something is “over and done with,” what does that mean?
A) It’s continuing
B) It’s completely finished
C) It’s about to start
12. What does it mean to “go out with a bang”?
A) Make a loud noise
B) Finish in an exciting way
C) Close the door loudly
Answer Key
- B) Stop doing something
- C) Finishing something
- B) Fall or fail
- B) Finishing final details
- B) Quit or retire from something
- B) Finish in a good way
- A) Stopping something
- B) Give up
- C) A hard time is almost over
- C) Stop working or close
- B) It’s completely finished
- B) Finish in an exciting way
Wrapping Up
Endings are part of life. They help us move on to new things. Idioms about endings show us fun and simple ways to talk about finishing. Some are funny, some are serious, and all are helpful.
When we learn these phrases, we speak more clearly. We also understand what others mean when they use them. Whether you’re finishing a project, a day, or even a story—there’s an idiom for it.
