End up Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

To eventually reach a particular place, condition, or result, often without planning to; often used with another verb (e.g. 'end up going').

Usage & Nuances

Informal; common with -ing verbs ('end up doing'). Shows an unplanned or unintended result. Not for planned future outcomes. Often expresses surprise or irony.

• Spanish: terminar - acabar (haciendo)
• Portuguese (BR): acabar (fazendo) - terminar (fazendo)
• Portuguese (PT): acabar por - acabar (a fazer)
• Chinese (Simplified): 最终（做某事） - 结果（变成）
• Chinese (Traditional): 最終（做某事） - 結果（變成）
• Hindi: अंत में (करना) - पहुँच जाना
• Arabic: ينتهي به الأمر (يفعل شيئًا) - ينتهي (إلى)
• Bengali: শেষ পর্যন্ত হওয়া - শেষ পর্যন্ত করা
• Russian: в итоге оказаться - в итоге сделать
• Japanese: 結局～することになる - 最終的に～になる
• Vietnamese: cuối cùng thì - rốt cuộc
• Korean: 결국 ~하게 되다
• Turkish: sonuçta - en sonunda - nihayet
• Urdu: آخرکار ہونا - بالآخر ہونا
• Indonesian: akhirnya - pada akhirnya

Example Sentences

We ended up walking home because there were no taxis.

basic

He ended up late because of traffic.

basic

How did you end up working there?

natural

If you keep spending like that, you'll end up broke.

natural

If you eat too much cake, you'll end up feeling sick.

basic

We planned to see a movie, but we ended up having dinner instead.

natural