end of the line

plural ends of the line · plural ends of the lines

1. The termination point of a railway or similar transportation system.

   Sometimes she took the cable car to the end of the line, then walked to the Presidio.

   1898, Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton, chapter 26, in The Californians

2. idiomaticThe final cessation or discontinuance of a process, institution, lineage, or person, especially one which has existed for a considerable period of time; death.

   Gyanendra's 269-year-old Shah dynasty has reached the end of the line.

   2008 April 5, AP/Matthew Rosenberg, “Nepal Prepares for End of Monarchy”, in Time

   2 more examples

   Well, Joe lost control, went into a skid / And gave his life to save that bunch-a kids / And there at that crossroads, was the end of the line / For Big Joe and Phantom 309

   1967, Tommy Faile, “Phantom 309”, performed by Red Sovine

   It's the end of the line / Here's where it stops / You broke my heart / There was nothing on Earth / Too good for you, what did you do / You blew it, fool

   1974, Ecstasy, Passion & Pain, “Good Things Don't Last Forever”, in Ecstasy, Passion & Pain

   Synonyms: end of the road