March marks that time of year when graduations take place across Japan. Students have completed a phase of their school life and are celebrating what they have accomplished. English has a number of idioms about things coming to an end, so in this blog let’s look at a few.
Close the chapter on something: to end something significant (school, job, relationship, etc.)
Twelfth graders are often excited close the chapter on high school so they can have more freedom.
They closed the chapter on living in Tokyo and moved to Hokkaido.
End of the road: when something can no longer continue
Hana and Mia were sad that it was the end of the road for high school because after graduation they were going to different universities.
They had a very successful business, but they knew it was the end of the road for it when their son said he didn’t want to take it over.
End on a high note: to finish something positively or successfully
She ended school life on a high note with her best test score ever.
By winning the last game, the soccer team ended the season on a high note.
Throw in the towel: to give up or admit defeat
After failing at growing vegetables, he decided to throw in the towel and try something different.
The baseball coach threw in the towel once his team was behind by 10 run and put in all the second-string players.
To run out of steam: to lose energy or motivation and stop doing something
After a long day at work, she ran out of steam and went to bed without eating dinner.
The students seemed to run out of steam at the end of the school year
Erik