living end
English edit
Pronunciation edit
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun edit
- (idiomatic, preceded by the) The most extreme form of something or the final and most impactful development in a series of events — whether favorable or unfavorable
- 1963 February 26, Murray Olderman, “Wilt Hurts Warriors Despite High Average”, in Sarasota Journal, retrieved 1 November 2013, page 15:
- This is the guy who was supposed to be the living end when he came into the NBA in 1959. Yet the Warriors have never been better than second with him.
- 1979 April 27, David Powell, “Compromise Workmen's Comp Measure Sent to Governor”, in Lakeland Ledger, retrieved 1 November 2013, page 3C:
- “We don't pretend that this bill is going to be the living end,” Senate President Phil Lewis said. “. . . But hopefully this is landmark legislation.”
- 1987 January 25, Howard Thompson, “Critics' Choices: Television”, in New York Times, retrieved 1 November 2013:
- Hitchcock uses a dazzling bag of tricks in Saboteur (1942)—Sunday at 2 A.M. on Channel 9—and that Statue of Liberty torch-hanger is the living end.
- 1995, Harry Combs, Brules, →ISBN, page 76:
- “Cat Brules, you're the living end! You're the worst boy I ever seen.”
- 2006 August 8, Lowell Cohn, “Commentary: Juice up all the athletes”, in Spartanburg Herald-Journal, retrieved 1 November 2013, page D2:
- I know that sounds cynical, but this latest scandal with cyclist Floyd Landis is the living end.
Synonyms edit
- (most extreme form or final, most impactful event): culmination
- (most extreme form or final, most impactful event — favorable sense): best (noun), high point
- (most extreme form or final, most impactful event — unfavorable sense): breaking point, last straw, worst (noun)
References edit
- “living end”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.