hear the end of it: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘hear the end of it’ mean?
hear the end of it: to continue hearing about something, usually in a negative or bothersome way, until it is resolved or stopped
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "lay to rest" means to finally resolve or put an end to something, especially a controversial or lingering issue, through a definitive action or decision.
The idiom "hear things" means to become aware of rumors or gossip that may or may not be true.
The idiom "hear the grass grow" means to have an exceptional ability to perceive or sense even the faintest or most subtle things, often used to describe someone with a keen sense of observation or intuition.
The idiom "hear out" means to listen to someone or something until the end, especially when one might have doubts or reservations. It emphasizes the importance of giving full attention and consideration to someone's ideas, opinions, or explanations.
The idiom "have had it up to here" means being extremely frustrated or fed up with something. It signifies reaching a limit or threshold of tolerance.
When something "goes in one ear and out the other," it means that a person quickly forgets or does not pay attention to what they hear.
The idiom "give someone an earful" means to speak angrily or in a strong and forceful manner to someone, usually in response to their actions or behavior.
The idiom "get through one's head" means to finally understand or accept something, especially after repeated attempts or explanations.
Uncovering Unresolved Echoes
The idiom "hear the end of it" is often used in everyday conversations and informal contexts. It conveys the idea of someone persistently complaining or nagging about a certain issue to the point of annoyance to others. The idiom implies that the speaker is tired of hearing about the specific topic and wishes for it to come to an end.
The origin of this idiom is not clear, but it can be inferred that it evolved from the figurative use of the word "end" to indicate the resolution or conclusion of something. When someone says, "I don't want to hear the end of it," they are expressing their desire for the issue to be resolved or for the complaints to stop.
One related idiom that is similar in meaning is "hear out." When we "hear someone out," we listen to their complaints or grievances fully without interrupting or dismissing them. It is a more empathetic approach compared to "hear the end of it," which indicates a sense of annoyance or frustration.
Another related idiom is "hear things." When someone says, "I've been hearing things," they are referring to rumors or gossip that they have heard about a certain topic or person. It is not necessarily related to persistent complaints, but it shares the theme of information that is being heard or discussed.
The idiom "tune out" is another related expression. When someone "tunes out," they mentally disconnect or stop paying attention to what is being said. It is often used when someone is bored or uninterested in the topic of conversation. This is in contrast to "hear the end of it," which suggests that the speaker is unable to mentally disengage due to the persistent complaints.
Lastly, the idiom "bitter end" can also be associated with "hear the end of it." "Bitter end" refers to the very end or the final outcome of something, often in a negative or unpleasant manner. When someone says, "I'll hear the end of it," they are expressing their expectation or fear that the outcome will be unfavorable or problematic.
The idiom "hear the end of it" is commonly used to express annoyance or frustration with someone persistently complaining or nagging about a certain issue. Its origin is not clear, but it is related to the figurative use of the word "end" to indicate resolution or conclusion. This idiom is prevalent in everyday conversations and popular culture, and it can be further understood by comparing it to related idioms such as "hear out," "hear things," "tune out," and "bitter end."
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "hear the end of it" can be used in a sentence:
- I made a mistake at work, and I know I will hear the end of it from my boss.
- My sister borrowed my favorite dress without asking, and she won't hear the end of it until she apologizes.
- If you're late to class again, you will definitely hear the end of it from the professor.
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