light at the end of the tunnel
/ˌlaɪt ət ði ˌend əv ðə ˈtʌnl̩/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
a sign that a long hard time will soon be over
Examples
- 1After months of looking for a job, Tom can finally see light at the end of the tunnel.
- 2The renovation has been awful, but with the new roof on, there's light at the end of the tunnel.
- 3Only two exams left, so I can see light at the end of the tunnel at last.
- 4Sales fell all year, but this month's figures show some light at the end of the tunnel.
- 5Is there any light at the end of the tunnel with your visa, or is it still stuck?
Grammar
It is usually the object of see or follows there is. the, some or any can come before light; the rest is fixed.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about travel
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →at a crossroadsat a point where you must make an important choicesteer clear ofto avoid someone or something that may cause problemsin the driving seatin control of a situationtake a back seatto let other people have control or attentionplain sailingeasy and without any problemsa dead enda situation in which no more progress is possible
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