tail end

IPA/ˌteɪl ˈend/
IPA/ˌteɪl ˈend/

tail end — noun

1. the closing part of an event, period, or process, near the point when it ends

1.nounB2
Definition

the closing part of an event, period, or process, near the point when it ends

Example

We arrived at the party during its tail end, just as people were leaving.

during the tail end of [an event]

Owen caught only the tail end of the news before the screen went black.

catch the tail end of [an event]

Common collocations
  • at the tail end of
  • catch the tail end of
  • the tail end of the year
Synonyms
  • conclusion

    more formal; the rounded final section, often of a text or argument

  • close

    the gentle ending point of a period or event

  • finale

    the dramatic last part of a performance or series

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the tail end of + noun

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the final portion in time or sequence (the tail end of summer), not the physical rear of an object.

Common Mistakes

I caught the tail-end of the song.
I caught the tail end of the song.
as a noun it is written as two separate words, not hyphenated.

2. the rear or hindmost point of something arranged in a line or moving forward, su

2.nounB2
Definition

the rear or hindmost point of something arranged in a line or moving forward, such as a queue, convoy, or storm

Example

The slowest runners always end up at the tail end of the marathon.

at the tail end of [a line]

Christopher waved to us from the tail end of the long town parade.

Common collocations
  • at the tail end of the queue
  • the tail end of the convoy
Synonyms
  • rear

    the back part; more neutral and general

  • back

    everyday word for the part furthest from the front

Antonyms
  • front

    the foremost part, opposite of the hindmost

Grammar Patterns

the tail end of + noun

Usage Note

Subject is usually something arranged in a line or moving forward — a queue, convoy, train, or weather system.

3. a person's bottom — the rounded part of the body you rest on when sitting, said

3.nounC1
Definition

a person's bottom — the rounded part of the body you rest on when sitting, said in a playful, informal way

Example

Layla slipped on the ice and landed right on her tail end.

land on one's tail end (informal)

Grandpa joked that his tail end was sore after the long bus ride.

Synonyms
  • bottom

    the common, polite everyday term

  • rear

    mildly informal and slightly euphemistic

Grammar Patterns

on one's tail end

Usage Note

Common in informal, humorous speech; in formal writing 'buttocks' or 'bottom' is used instead.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All of these point to where something stops, but they differ in tone and scope. 'End' is the plain, all-purpose word and simply marks where something finishes. 'Tail end' is more vivid and slightly informal: it stresses the very last, often small or fading portion — the tail end of a meeting is its dull final minutes. 'Conclusion' is formal and suggests a planned, rounded finish, common in essays and reports. 'Close' is gentle and often used for periods of time, as in 'the close of the day'. 'Finale' is reserved for a grand or dramatic ending, like the finale of a concert. You might say, 'We caught the tail end of the show, but missed the spectacular finale.'

end ↗conclusion ↗close ↗finale ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • at the tail end of
  • towards the tail end of
  • catch the tail end of
  • right at the tail end

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The phrase joins 'tail', from Old English 'tægel' meaning the rear growth on an animal, with 'end'. Because an animal's tail is its rearmost part, English speakers began using 'tail end' for the very back or final portion of anything — a line of people, a stretch of time, or, jokingly, the part of the body one sits on.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2