after all

adverb

1. emphasizes something to be considered (Freq. 17)

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after all, she is your boss, so invite her

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he is, after all, our president

2. in spite of expectations (Freq. 11)

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came to the party after all

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it didn't rain after all

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You use after all when you are mentioning an additional point which confirms or supports what you have just said.

After all, we don't intend to put him on trial.

It had to be recognized, after all, that I was still a schoolboy.

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You also use after all to say that something is the case or may be the case in spite of what had previously been thought.

Perhaps it isn't such a bad village after all.

Can it be that these people are actually sincere after all?

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◊ WARNING

You do not use after all when you want to introduce a final point, question, or topic. Instead you use finally or lastly.

Finally I want to say something about the heat pump.

Finally, Carol, are you encouraged by the direction education is taking?

Lastly I would like to ask about your future plans.

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* * *

in spite of any indications or expectations to the contrary

I called and told her I couldn't come after all | you are my counselor, after all

* * *

after all

1 : in spite of what was said : even though the opposite was expected

They decided to go after all.

It didn't rain after all.

2

— used to emphasize something that needs to be considered

It's only Tuesday, after all. We have plenty of time.

You should apologize to her. After all, she is your best friend.

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Main Entry: ↑after

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after all — see ↑after, 2

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Main Entry: ↑all

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ˌafter ˈall idiom

1. despite what has been said or expected

•

So you made it after all!

2. used when you are explaining sth, or giving a reason

•

He should have paid. He suggested it, after all.

Main entry: ↑after_idiom