when all is said and done

This page is about the conversational phrase when all is said and done

Meaning

You can say this to put something into a larger perspective so that it doesn't seem so bad.

For example

  • "I know being robbed is annoying, but it's only money, when all is said and done."

  • Before the final, their coach said, "Try to relax. When all is said and done, it's just another game."

Quick Quiz

After he'd lost his job, I said, "Never mind. When all is said and done,

a. it was just another job."

b. you'll never get another job."

c. you'll never earn that much again."
a) it was just another job." b) you'll never get another job." c) you'll never earn that much again."

Contributor: Matt Errey