とどのつまり

expression, adverb

in the end; after all; when all is said and done

Used to sum up a situation or outcome, often with a sense of inevitability or resignation. The expression originates from the final stage name of the striped mullet (とど), implying 'the last stage' or 'the end of the line'.

See also: トド

• 色いろ々いろ努ど力りょくしたが、とどのつまり失しっ敗ぱいに終おわった。

  I tried various things, but in the end it was a failure.

• 彼かれの話はなしは長ながかったが、とどのつまり言いいたいことは一ひとつだった。

  His story was long, but after all he had only one point to make.