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all's well that ends well

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all's well that ends well

A positive ending can overshadow any problems that may have preceded it. Although this phrase is the title of a Shakespeare play, it likely predates it. Hey, we're not fighting anymore, and that's all that matters. All's well that ends well. All's well that ends well—at least it didn't rain for my entire wedding day.

See also: end, well

All's well that ends well.

Prov. Cliché An event that has a good ending is good even if some things went wrong along the way. (This is the name of a play by Shakespeare.) I'm glad you finally got here, even though your car had a flat tire on the way. Oh, well. All's well that ends well. The groom was late for the wedding, but everything worked out all right. All's well that ends well.

See also: end, well

all's well that ends well

Everything has turned out satisfactorily, even though the outcome has been uncertain. For example, His lawyer persuaded Jack to plead guilty, but the court merely put him on probation-all's well that ends well . This proverb, dating from about 1250, gained even more currency as the title of a Shakespeare comedy.

See also: end, well