1320 The beginning of the end

Explanation

The point at which a process of decline or failure starts, even if the final end is still some way off; the first sign that something will inevitably fail or end.

Origin

A phrase suggesting that an initial event or sign marks the start of an irreversible decline leading to a final conclusion (the end).
Used famously by French diplomat Talleyrand about Napoleon's invasion of Russia (C'est le commencement de la fin).

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

It all went downhill from there
That's when it started to go south
The start of the shitshow (Vulgar, implies chaos/failure began)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

That's when the fucking rot set in.

Milder/Formal:

The inception of the decline
The point where failure became inevitable
The initial stage of dissolution

Situational Appropriateness

Informal to Formal.
Suitable for historical analysis, commentary on current events, business post-mortems, or personal reflections. Sounds quite dramatic.

Misunderstanding Warnings

Ensure the listener understands it implies an *inevitable* decline starting from a specific point, not just a temporary setback. It carries a sense of doom or finality.

Examples

When the star player got injured, it was the beginning of the end for the team's championship hopes.
Losing that major contract was the beginning of the end for the company.
His refusal to apologize marked the beginning of the end of their friendship.

Dialogue

Historian 1: Many argue that the disastrous Battle of Kursk was the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.

Historian 2: Absolutely. While the war continued for almost two more years, they never truly regained the strategic initiative after that defeat.

Historian 1: It marked a turning point from which recovery was impossible.

Response Patterns

Do you really think so?
Looking back, you're right.
That's a depressing thought.
What makes you say that?
Hopefully not!

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone identifies the beginning of the end:

Discuss the specific event and why it's seen as so pivotal.
Analyze the subsequent decline.
Debate whether the outcome was truly inevitable from that point.

Conversation Starter

No. It's an analytical comment or observation about a process already underway or completed.

Intonation

Stress often on beginning and end.
Usually said with a tone of gravity, foreshadowing, or sad realization. The BEGINNING of the END.

Generation Differences

Widely understood across generations, perhaps used more often by those reflecting on past events.

Regional Variations

Common in all major English-speaking regions.

Call it quits

🎲 Draw to a close

[1320] The beginning of the end