🧬 DNA overhang 💀 Bad ending

sticky end

7.7

A bad ending that often leaves someone hurt or killed

noun

Archaic

: final desastroso

In old tales, the villains often come to a sticky end for their misdeeds.

Examples

The criminal met a sticky end after years of evading the law.
He met a sticky end after his reckless decisions.
Many superstitious people believe that cheaters are destined for a sticky end.
Many characters in the movie faced a sticky end.
In old tales, the villains often come to a sticky end for their misdeeds.
The criminal met a sticky end after years of evading the law.
Many superstitious people believe that cheaters are destined for a sticky end.

Synonyms

the bitter end

vssticky end

14 7.1

The final part of a difficult situation that ends badly

is harsher, implying suffering or punishment rather than mere failure

bad ending

vssticky end

2 3.7

A disappointing finish to a story, event, or experience

is more severe and often includes suffering or punishment

Antonyms

happy ending

108 1.7

A good finish to a story where things turn out well

positive outcome

9 3.6

A result that is good or wanted

How Bad

disaster

∞ 1.0

tragic ending

2 4.2

sticky end

Archaic

7.7

setback

148 3.6

problem

∞ 1.2

Surface Forms

sticky end singular

sticky ends plural

Morphology

sticky + end

The literal senses of 'sticky' (adhering) and 'end' (final point) do not compose to mean an unpleasant or disastrous outcome, so a B1 learner knowing both words would not reliably infer the idiomatic sense. Although 'sticky' can sometimes mean 'troublesome' (e.g. 'in a sticky situation'), the specific phrase 'sticky end' is a conventional idiom with a historical/figurative meaning (often violent or calamitous) that is not predictable from its parts.

Etymology

One popular story says the idiom sticky end comes from the image of someone getting stuck in tar or mud and having a messy finish, so a sticky end means a messy or unpleasant 'end'.