So much for 's definition, meaning and history

Meaning of “so much for”

The phrase “so much for” is an idiom that is used to express disappointment, resignation, or the failure of something to meet expectations. It’s often used to acknowledge that a plan, idea, or expectation has not been successful or has not turned out as hoped.

For example, you might say “I was going to go for a run, but it started raining, so much for that plan,” meaning that the rain has disrupted your intention to run.

Here are some other things to know about “so much for”:

• It’s commonly used in informal speech or writing to express disappointment or resignation.
• “So much for” can be used in a variety of contexts to acknowledge the failure or disappointment of a situation, like “I was hoping for a promotion, but so much for that idea.”
• The phrase is often followed by a noun, pronoun, or verb phrase to indicate what has not met expectations or has been unsuccessful.

History of “so much for”

The exact origin of the phrase “so much for” is unclear, but it has been in use for centuries in English. Here’s what we know about its history:

• Early usage: The phrase “so much for” has been used in English since at least the 17th century, with early examples found in texts from the 1600s.
• Informal origins: “So much for” is considered an informal idiom in English, often used in casual speech or writing to express disappointment or resignation.
• Versatility: The phrase “so much for” is a versatile idiom that can be used in a wide range of contexts to acknowledge the failure or disappointment of a situation.
• Synonyms: Other phrases that can be used in place of “so much for” include “that’s that,” “that’s the end of that,” or “that’s the last of it.”

Overall, “so much for” is a common idiom in English that is used to express disappointment, resignation, or the failure of something to meet expectations. It’s a flexible phrase that can be used in a variety of situations to acknowledge that a plan, idea, or expectation has not been successful.

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