What better way to boost your English than studying idioms. Not only they will make you sound smarter and more natural but also improve your comprehension immensely. Here are 10 expressions with “end” I’m sure you’ll find useful.
Go off the deep end
Meaning: to suddenly become very angry or lose control over your emotions.
Ex: After Eric heard what happened to his car, he went off the deep end.
If someone went to the deep end, it means that they lost control over themselves and started behaving strangely.
Ex: Everyone thought Alex went off the deep end when he heard that his mother had died. He was yelling and crying so much that someone called the police.
We can use this idiom to tell that someone’s fallen in love.
Ex: Look how Derek is watching Debby. I think he’s gone off the deep end.
Go to the ends of the earth
Meaning: If someone says that they would go to the ends of the earth it means that they would do anything possible (or impossible) to achieve something.
Ex: I’d go to the ends of the earth to prove that I’m innocent.
You can be in love with someone and say: “I’ll go to the ends of the earth to be with her,” which means that you would do anything it takes to be with your loved one.
Not the end of the world
Meaning: not the worst thing that could happen to somebody.
Ex: I am hoping to pass this exam, but if I don’t, it won’t be the end of the world.
We use this expression to tell someone that their problem is not as serious as they may think.
Ex: Divorce is a messy thing, but it’s not the end of the world.
Even though you’ve lost your job, you shouldn’t despair. It’s not the end of the world; you’ll get another, probably even better one.
At a loose end
Meaning: be bored; have nothing to do.
Ex: If you’re at a loose end, come and see us.
After her husband died, all of a sudden, Selena found herself at a loose end.
I was at a loose end so I decided to finally tidy up the garage.
Burn the candle at both ends
We say that we burned the candle at both ends when we stay up late studying or working, especially when we have to get up early the next morning.
Ex: Studying and working at the same time has exhausted me so much that I burned the candle at both ends.
I burned the candle at both ends by working day and night in order to meet the deadline.
Keep your end up
If you keep your end up, then you do the same as people you’re with, or what you are expected to do.
Ex: Michael kept his end up with his colleagues. They were all properly dressed and groomed for the meeting with foreign guests.
Despite being afraid and confused, Darren kept his end up and gave the burglars what they asked for.
You can also say that you keep your end up if you are brave or don’t lose your spirit in a difficult situation.
Ex: The soldiers kept their ends up in the battle, which helped them defeat the enemy.
Mary wasn’t the best person for the job, but she kept her end up at the interview with her cheerful and enthusiastic remarks; finally, she got the job.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Light at the end of the tunnel refers to something that shows you are nearly at the end of a difficult period or situation. It has to do with relief and hope as well.
Ex: Simon could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel after his application was accepted.
For the first time since he started having medical treatment, he could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Make ends meet
If you make ends meet, then you have just enough money to buy the necessities.
Ex: After World War 2, many families struggled to make ends meet.
It is rather difficult to make ends meet with two children and an unemployed wife.
Make someone’s hair stand on end
If you made someone’s hair stand on end, you scared them a lot. You can imagine a person whose hair’s gone up because of terror.
Ex: Terrifying screaming coming from the dark made my hair stand on end.
The horrible vampire movie made our hair stand on end.
A means to an end
A means to an end is something that helps you achieve your goal, even though it is not interesting or important to you.
Ex: I don’t like studying chemistry; I see it as a means to an end to get to University.
Muriel married him for his money. To her, he was a means to an end.
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