The Village Idiom

hear the end of it

hear the end of it: to continue hearing about something, usually in a negative or bothersome way, until it is resolved or stopped

Talk & communication · Filed under H

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.

Where it comes from and how it is used

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.

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.

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."

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.