after the party is over

after the party is over

Referring to the time when a period of excitement, success, jubilation, or opulence changes to a subsequent period of sobriety, calm, reflection, and/or regret. That new Olympic stadium looks great now, but after the party is over, I wonder if it will ever be used again. We felt we were invincible back then, when earnings were high and everything seemed possible. These days, long after the party's over, I think we all were a bit foolish with our money.See also: after, over, party