at the end of the day

[ at thee end uhv thuh dey ]

idiom

1. after everything is considered or accounted for; ultimately:

   At the end of the day, we went for simpler printers that just do their job as soon as you click “print” on your device.

   “Yes, cost and convenience matter, but at the end of the day, it’s about the welfare of our children,” she said.

Word History and Origins

Origin of at the end of the day¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

At the end of the day, if the state of Texas or any other state is to continue to carry out executions, it has an obligation to ensure that it never kills an innocent person.

From Slate

At the end of the day, doubt may remain.

From Slate

Instead, caterers typically deliver insulated boxes full of stainless steel containers, which then get rinsed out and returned at the end of the day.

From Salon

At the end of the day, 37-year-old mental health therapist Ben Shabad of Glenview won out all the rest, telling the Sun-Times, “I’m so happy. This is the coolest thing I’ve done all week.”

From Salon

"We are all driving the same car on the same track. It is who wins at the end of the day."

From BBC

Related Words

• finally
• in the course of time
• one day
• someday
• sooner or later
• ultimately