end up

phrasal verb

ended up; ending up; ends up

: to reach or come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected

The book ended up in the trash.

He didn't want to end up like his father.

She ended up a rich woman.

He ended up (living) in a nursing home.

The movie we wanted to see was sold out so we ended up seeing a different one.

Examples of end up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The point at the time wasn’t to make the change but to make way for change in the event that Republicans ended up in control after the November elections, which is what ended up happening. —Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025

The world might end up ruled by large technology companies that impose their solutions throughout entire continents, leaving little space for homegrown creativity. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Animals end up at the shelter for any number of reasons, with each heartbreaking in its own unique way. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

While these hoaxes mostly ended up being false alarms, experts note that these types of hoaxes are not only a serious crime with substantial penalties for those involved but can also put first responders and bystanders at risk. —ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for end up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup