when all's said and done

when all is said and done

When everything is finished or resolved. Yes, my sister's attempts to commandeer my party have been maddening, but when all is said and done, we'll reconcile—we always do.See also: all, and, done, said

when all's said and done

Also, after all is said and done. In the end, nevertheless, as in When all's said and done, the doctors did what they could for Gordon, but he was too ill to survive . This term was first recorded in 1560. See also: and, done, said