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the end of the line
What is the origin of the idiom "the end of the line" and when to use it?
The idiom “the end of the line” is believed to have originated in the 19th century, when trains were the primary mode of transportation. When a train reached the end of the line, it could not go any further. Over time, the phrase came to be used in a figurative sense to describe any situation that is at its conclusion.
Example
The company's financial troubles had been mounting for years, but when they lost their biggest client, they knew it was the end of the road.
The athlete's injury was so severe that it marked the end of the line for their professional career.
After years of trying to save their marriage, they finally reached the end of the line and decided to get a divorce.
After numerous attempts to revive the failing project, the team finally reached the end of the road and had to abandon it.
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