come to an end

Meaning

To finish, conclude, or stop happening. This expression is used for events, periods of time, relationships, or situations that naturally reach their final point. It is slightly more formal than just 'end' or 'finish', but still very common in daily spoken and written English.

Examples

• All good things must come to an end, including our summer vacation.

  All good things must come to an end, including our summer vacation.

• The meeting finally came to an end after three long hours.

  The meeting finally came to an end after three long hours.

• As the year comes to an end, we reflect on our achievements.

  As the year comes to an end, we reflect on our achievements.

• Their long partnership came to an end last month.

  Their long partnership came to an end last month.

• I was sad to see the movie come to an end because it was so gripping.

  I was sad to see the movie come to an end because it was so gripping.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Our holiday came to the end.

  ✓ Our holiday came to an end.

  The correct idiom always uses the indefinite article 'an end', not the definite article 'the end'.

• ✗ The project will come to end next week.

  ✓ The project will come to an end next week.

  Do not omit the article 'an' before the word 'end' in this standard set phrase.

Related Expressions

Practice

• All good things must ___ eventually.

  💡 finish or conclude

  Show answer

  come to an end

• The concert finally ___ around midnight.

  💡 past tense of come to an end

  Show answer

  came to an end