Beginning of the end?

[Joe]

Test No. incompl/elem-6 "Start/Begin", question 8

As far as I was concerned when the accident happened, it was the ......... of the end.

(a) start
(b) begin
(c) starting
(d) beginning

Test No. incompl/elem-6 "Start/Begin", answer 8

As far as I was concerned when the accident happened, it was the beginning of the end.

Correct answer: (d) beginning

Your answer was: correct
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What's the meaning about "the begining of the end"? Do you mind showing me some example please?? Thanks a lot!!

[Alan]

This expression means that stage in a situation when it is clear that something is about to stop or finish. You could use this in a business context when it is clear that a company is about to close because all the signs are that it is losing money. You could also use it to describe the last part of a war when it is obvious that one side is about to win.
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[Yo]

hmm i do believe you can also interpret it as the start of something new once another thing has finished, note: beginning of the end. Meaning once something has ended there will be a consecutive amount of events following the event that just ended, follow me?

[Anubala]

Dear Alan
Begining of the end ... does it says that there is a lot more to happen and whatever is happened it just sequentially first of them.
Thanks
annu

[Alan]

Hi,

Not too sure what you mean. This expression simply means: something is about to end/stop/finish. It is the fist stage in this process indicating that something is about to end/stop/finish. On rereading what you have written I think we agree!

Alan
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[Ghiyoung]

Hi Alan,

That is the situation of showing some sign to end, right?

Thanks,
GY.