All good things must come to an end

Meaning

The idiom "all good things must come to an end" means that all positive things, situations, or relationships will eventually change for the worse and end. It suggests that even good things cannot last forever, and that it is inevitable for everything to have a conclusion.

Usage

• "Even the best of friendships can fall apart as time goes on, but we must remember that all good things must come to an end."
• "It's always hard to say goodbye, but all good things must come to an end, and sometimes it's for the better."
• "I had a great job for many years, but eventually, I knew that all good things must come to an end, and it was time to move on."
• "After a successful summer season, the beach town was quiet once again, as all good things must come to an end."
• "It's sad to see our child grow up and leave home, but we know that all good things must come to an end, and it is time for them to start their own lives." The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in various situations, including relationships, jobs, events, and even personal experiences. However, it often implies a sense of regret or sadness because of the inevitable end of something positive.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of this idiom was recorded in John Heywood's "A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of All the Prouerbes in the Englishe Tongue" in 1546. The phrase is derived from "Good things never last," which was first used in the 13th century. Over time, the idiom has evolved to its current meaning and usage.

Synonyms in English

• All good things must end
• Good times must come to an end
• All good things must pass away
• All good things must expire
• All good things must fade away

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Todos los buenos cosas deben acabar
• French: Toutes les choses bonnes doivent finir
• German: Alle guten Dinge müssen enden
• Italian: Tutti i cosi buoni devono terminare
• Portuguese: Todos os bons coisas devem acabar

Similar Idioms

• a little bird told me

• all day long

• all the rage