Phrases & IdiomsPhrase guide

At the End of the Day

“At the End of the Day” means ultimately, when the most important fact or final consideration is taken into account. It can be useful for summing up a decisive consideration, but frequent use may sound formulaic in formal prose.

Quick answer

Ultimately, when the most important fact or final consideration is taken into account.

Key details

Canonical FormAt the End of the Day
Core Meaningultimately, when the most important fact or final consideration is taken into account

Further guidance

History Boundary

Current meaning is published without claiming a single inventor, exact coinage date, or absolute first use unless separately evidenced.

Meaning

ultimately, when the most important fact or final consideration is taken into account

Usage Boundary

It can be useful for summing up a decisive consideration, but frequent use may sound formulaic in formal prose.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. At the end of the day — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Current phrase meaning of at the end of the day

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