light at the end of the tunnel

Idioms  

1. The end of a difficult situation or task, the solution to a difficult problem. For example, It's taken three years to effect this merger, but we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This metaphoric expression dates from the 1800s, but became widespread only in the mid-1900s.

---

Example Sentences

While he loves being with his parents, he said he could not "see a light at the end of the tunnel" when it comes to affording his own home.

From BBC

“But every time that we think there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, there’s hope. The carwasheros — they show up. There’s no other way.”

From Los Angeles Times

There isn’t yet light at the end of the tunnel.

From Barron's

But there could be some light at the end of the tunnel, as Restaurant Brands believes the impact of beef prices on its overall costs is temporary.

From MarketWatch

When real-estate agent Jo Chavez first showed her buyers a $400,000 four-bedroom property in Kansas City, Mo., she thought she saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

From MarketWatch