after all
Idioms-
Despite everything, nevertheless, as in The plane took off half an hour late but landed on time after all .
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After everything else has been considered, ultimately, as in Mary has final approval of the guest list; after all, it's her wedding . The two usages are pronounced differently, the first giving stress to the word after and the second to the word all . Both date from the early 1700s. Also see when all is said and done .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Maybe CVS has the right prescription after all.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
But as he considers his legacy and comedic craft, Cole said he is proud he is still himself after all of this time in the industry.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
But when they walked past on Tuesday, the once colourful store was covered in hoarding after all shops closed.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
Or it turns out living abroad isn’t your cup of tea after all.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026
He was turning eleven in six months, after all.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
