1.
in the end, after all, as a result of
Indicates an undesirable or unexpected outcome that follows a prolonged process or repeated actions. Almost always implies the result is negative or disappointing. Used in the pattern Xした挙句 (after doing X at length, the result was...).
散々迷った挙句、何も買わなかった。
After agonizing over it, I ended up not buying anything.
長時間話し合った挙句、結論は出なかった。
After discussing it for a long time, no conclusion was reached.
無理な仕事を引き受けた挙句、体を壊してしまった。
After taking on an unreasonable workload, I ended up ruining my health.
USAGE:
挙句 is used to introduce a negative or undesirable outcome after a prolonged effort or series of events. The pattern is typically Verb-た挙句(に) + negative result. It strongly implies "after all that trouble, the result was bad."
The longer form 挙句の果て(に) is even more emphatic, stressing the extremity of the outcome.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- Verb-た挙句: after doing X (with bad result)
- 挙句の果て(に): at the very end, in the final outcome (emphatic)
- 散々…した挙句: after doing... at great length
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 結局: in the end (neutral, no inherent negative nuance)
- 挙句: in the end (negative result implied)