Definition

Noun: 1. The frayed or worn-out end of a length of cloth or rope: The literal meaning referring to the untidy, unraveled, or exhausted final part of a material. 2. The final, least valuable, or most tedious part of something: A figurative meaning referring to the last and often least desirable portion of a period, event, or activity.

Usage Examples

• Literal Meaning:

  • He trimmed the fag end of the rope to prevent further fraying.
  • The old flag was torn, its fag end fluttering weakly in the breeze.

• Figurative Meaning:

  • We were exhausted, listening to the fag end of the long, boring lecture.
  • He only caught the fag end of the conversation and missed the important details.

Advanced Usage

• "the fag end of [a period/event]": Emphasizes the final, often worn-out or insignificant stage.
  • They met in the fag end of the summer, just before the weather turned cold.
• Used to convey a sense of exhaustion, decline, or triviality associated with the conclusion.

Variants and Related Words

• Tag end (noun): A less common variant with the same meaning (the last remaining part).
• Remnant (noun): A small remaining quantity, often of fabric, but can be more general.
• Dregs (noun): The most worthless part of something (often used for liquids, but figuratively similar).

Synonyms

• Tail end: The very last part.
• Conclusion: The end or finish of an event or process (more neutral).
• Remains: What is left after the main part has been used or removed.

Antonyms

• Beginning: The point in time or space at which something starts.
• Start: The first part of an event or process.
• Prime: The period of greatest vigor or success.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• The bitter end: The final, most difficult part of an unpleasant situation (shares the sense of an arduous conclusion).
• To be on its last legs: To be near the end of existence or usefulness (shares the sense of exhaustion).

Noun

1. the frayed end of a length of cloth or rope
2. the time of the last part of something
   • the fag end of this crisis-ridden century
   • the tail of the storm