fag end

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fag end

The tailor trimmed the fag end of the rope with a sharp knife.

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).
fag end

The tailor trimmed the fag end of the rope with a sharp knife.

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

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