今いまはこれまで

い

ま

は

こ

れ

ま

で

Meanings

conjunction, expression, adverb

this is the end; it's all over; unavoidable

A dramatic, often literary expression used when facing an unavoidable end or a situation with no way out. Conveys resignation or finality. Not used in casual daily conversation.

敵てきに囲かこまれ、彼かれは「今いまはこれまで」とつぶやいた。
Surrounded by enemies, he muttered, "This is the end."
財ざい産さんも名めい誉よも失うしない、今いまはこれまでと覚かく悟ごした。
Having lost both fortune and honor, he resigned himself to the fact that it was all over.

Kanji

今now
是just so, this, right
迄until, up to, as far as
此this, current, next

Related words

万ばん事じ休きゅうす
Similar in meaning 'all is lost' or 'game over', but 万事休す is a more formal, classical four-character idiom, while 今はこれまで is a phrase with a more personal, dramatic tone.
これまで
Means 'until now' or 'so far' in neutral contexts. 今はこれまで adds 今は to emphasize the present moment as the final point.

Written forms

今いまはこれまで
Standard modern spelling using kana for the latter part.
今いまは是これ迄まで
Archaic kanji spelling; rarely used in modern writing.
今いまは此これ迄まで
Archaic kanji spelling with 此れ; rarely used.
今いまは是これまで
Mixed kanji-kana archaic spelling; rarely used.

Etymology

A set phrase composed of 今 (now), は (topic marker), and これまで (up to this point; the end). The combination literally means 'now, this is as far as it goes,' and has been used historically in dramatic or literary contexts to signal an unavoidable conclusion.