after all

∞ 3.0

To give a reason or say something is true despite doubts

idiom

: después de todo

She decided to join the team after all, even though she had hesitated at first.
is human after all
after all, it means
after all, trees grow

So I feel like after all that, it's time for the oil.

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Examples

There, Noah, I said aloud, after all these years we are even at last.

Fiction book (1990)
And now, after all that, the trial begins.
And he saw the plane after all those weeks.
For here before me, after all, was a movie star.
We may not be able to go home after all.

Gladiator (2000)
I mean, after all, it is inevitable.
After all, life is short.

Hit Man (2024)
After all, computers are just machines.

Tron (1982)
Students will realize that you are human after all, and will appreciate and admire your flexibility.

Academic text (1999)
Just think about that. After all you've been through

Synonyms

in fact

vsafter all

∞ 1.0

Shows that something is true, often when it is different from what was said

adds a stronger sense of reason or justification despite prior doubts

as a matter of fact

vsafter all

345 3.0

To say that something is true, often when it is surprising

focuses more on giving a reason or explanation for that truth

all the same

vsafter all

98 3.3

To say something is true despite what was just said

also gives a reason or explains why despite earlier doubts

anyhow

vsafter all

Informal

63 2.1

To say something that adds to or explains something said before

places more weight on giving a reason rather than just supporting

in any case

vsafter all

51 2.8

No matter what, this is true or will happen

leans more toward explaining why something is true despite doubt

in point of fact

vsafter all

6 5.6

Shows that something is true despite what people thought

is more used to introduce a reason or to show despite doubts

Surface Forms

after all positive

Morphology

after + all

The meaning (despite earlier doubts / to emphasize a reason) is loosely related to the literal senses of 'after' (later) + 'all' (everything) — as if ‘after everything’ — but it functions as a discourse marker rather than a straightforward temporal phrase, so the exact pragmatic force is not fully derivable from the parts. Cross-linguistic parallels (e.g. French 'après tout', Spanish 'después de todo') make the pattern somewhat guessable for learners, yet its idiomatic discourse use requires exposure.

Etymology

After all comes from a simple picture: after you have looked at all the facts, you say a final point that can change the view. So, it is used to give a strong reason or to show something is 'true' even if people 'doubted' it before.