Meaning of Idiom ‘After All’
The idiom after all has three possible meanings that are pronounced in slightly different ways.
1. Despite everything that occurred; despite what happened; regardless of the situation before; nevertheless. (Pronounced with the stress is on the first word: AFTER all.) 1Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013., 2Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms]. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.
2. Ultimately, everything considered. (Pronounced with the stress on the second word: after ALL.) 3Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
3. For the reason given (Pronounced with the stress on the second word: after ALL.) 4Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms]. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.
Examples of Use
“Despite the cut in pay and the longer commute, I took the job after all. The benefits are great and there is lots of opportunity.
“The road construction really slowed us down and we almost got lost but we arrived on time after all.”
“You’d better learn to get along with Robin. After all, he’s your boss.
“I suggest you conserve water,” said the guide. “After all, there’s no telling when we’ll find fresh water again.”
“Sure we were confident. We’d won all our games, after all.”
Origin
Used since the early 1700s
More Idioms Starting with A
More After Idioms
More All Idioms
- All Hell Breaks Loose
- All of a Sudden
- Not For All the Tea in China
- All That Glitters Is Not Gold
- Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket
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