At the End of the Day...
by Steve Watters on 07/08/2009 at 10:28 AM
What's the best way to communicate a final thought after much discussion, the perceived conclusion after all ideas have been considered? It seems our phrase of choice for that concept is typically "at the end of the day."
A Google search of our blog shows that the phrase "at the end of the day" appears quite frequently in our blog posts and in your comments.
But, at the end of the day, has this phrase become a cliche and lost its punch? That's the concern Tim Kidwell raises in a Wall Street Journal article today:
If you're like me, at the end of the day you're tired. You're not looking for a fight, but you'll stand your ground if you think you're being played. And that's precisely the limit I've reached with this sprig of verbal parsley.
"At the end of the day" has certitude, finality and a hint of righteousness. But it's cheap and it's stale. No surprise that every talking head, politician, sportscaster and game show host lunges for it like a linguistic life preserver. Uh-oh, running out of time, need to quickly summarize, but need something conclusive, something that will cut off any further debate . . . Aha! I've got it!
Mr. Kidwell challenges his readers to find a new and fresh idiom:
Come on, folks. Surely we can come up with a few worthy replacements for this tired old saw. I'd like to think that at the end of the day, we're better than "at the end of the day." With this in mind, allow me to share a few humble submissions.
Domestic: When the Pop Tart's out of the toaster.
Legal: When all appeals are exhausted and all clients are broke.
Lyrical: When that last, lone swallow is perched upon the cliffs of Capistrano.
Speculative: When the closing bell sounds and every fund's been hedged.
Legislative: When the filibuster's broken, the bill is up for vote, and senators are running for cover like roaches in a brightly lit kitchen.
Maybe we can do our part.
What would you suggest as an alternative to "at the end of the day" that would be a good fit for the Boundless community?
Here's a starter suggestion: "When Ted has approved the last comment on this post (perhaps his own)."
What say you?
1. Cassandra said the following at 10:32 AM on Jul 8:
I like "in the final analysis."
2. obewan said the following at 10:54 AM on Jul 8:
I had never heard of it until I took my present job 5 years ago. Here at work it is cliché and is used by all the engineers when “debating” technical issues and they want to talk about the “bottom line”.
I suppose "when all is said and done" is more precise, but it is also cliché is it not?
3. Erica said the following at 11:14 AM on Jul 8:
I agreed with obewan you can say 'when all is said and done.'In Jamaica we say 'the meat of the matter is'which means the important point of the issue is. Instead of saying At the end of the day I will still live in USA. You could end by saying 'The important point of the issue is that I still live in the USA. Or as we say in Jamaica, 'The meat of the matter is that I still live in the USA.
4. Melisssa S. said the following at 11:15 AM on Jul 8:
I really laughed out loud at the "Lyrical" choice. "Legislative" was pretty good, too. I end up saying "the bottom line" a lot and never use "at the end of the day".
5. Jenna said the following at 11:23 AM on Jul 8:
How about "When the last lemming hits the water ..."?
6. farmer Tom said the following at 11:51 AM on Jul 8:
Really, "when it comes right down to it", and "the cows have all come home", "at the end of the day" is a pretty good summation of the matter.
But, maybe the best conclusion is this one,
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
7. Jennifer said the following at 11:59 AM on Jul 8:
"When the toast is burned, and all the milk has turned..." courtesy of the Newsboys.
But I also like #5. Any references to lemmings make life more enjoyable.
8. BDB said the following at 12:12 PM on Jul 8:
"Perhaps you're right."
9. Texas Craig said the following at 12:12 PM on Jul 8:
For a real one, I use: "When it's all boiled down...."
For a humorous one, how about: "When it comes time to flush..."
(sorry if that leaves a poor visual for everyone!) :-)
10. brx said the following at 12:30 PM on Jul 8:
at the end of the day...
It is night
The night is for resting
What has been done, has been done
What has not been done, has not been done
Let it go...
It is night
The night is for resting
The night is for resting
(anyone recognize where that's from? :)
11. Brian K said the following at 12:32 PM on Jul 8:
Coinciding with the cessation of the sun's light rays directly impacting our part of the earth......no?
How about "When the lion lays down with the lamb...." Or "When the streaker finally jettisons his last shred of dignity and steps onto the field..." or even "when the tea kettle whistles....."
Jenna: funny!
12. kaj said the following at 12:38 PM on Jul 8:
Now this article has me thinking about the musical version of "Les Miserables!"
13. Mike said the following at 12:53 PM on Jul 8:
How about "when the horse you're beating is finally dead"?
Or would that be a mixed cliche?
14. P&P said the following at 1:55 PM on Jul 8:
In the final cost/benefit analysis.....
When you're on your deathbed.....
Ten years from now....(I tend to use this one a lot when it's a personal conflict)
When the sun finally sets......
15. Chris said the following at 2:54 PM on Jul 8:
I cracked up at the lemming comment. Good job, Jenna. Gonna try to work it into a conversation sometime today:
"So....when the last lemming hits the water..."
Hahahaha! Love it!
16. Heidi said the following at 3:42 PM on Jul 8:
How about "When the dandelions close"? (they do indeed close up every night)
We can try all we want, but when the dandelions close no one really has the power to put new idioms into circulation.
:D