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enough is enough

 
Proverbs: Enough is enough

From its older use as an expression of content or satisfaction (cf. enough is as good as a feast), this is now frequently used as a reprimand, warning someone off from persisting in an inappropriate or excessive course of action.

Sens enough is enough (sayd I) here maie we With that one word take end good.
[1546 J. Heywood Dialogue of Proverbs ii. xi. M1]
‘I will descend for no more,’ said the Moor, doggedly; ‘enough is enough for a reasonable man—more is superfluous.’
[1832 W. Irving Alhambra II. 40]
I realize all its merits just as well as you do. But enough is enough.
[1915 T. Dreiser Titan (ed. 3) xlvii. 404]
We all enjoyed your encouraging letter—‘Dear Sir, The bank looks forward to a return to the traditional arrangement whereby you bank with us, rather than vice-versa. Enough is enough.’
[2002 Times 10 Aug. 23]

Related to: content and discontent; moderation

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.

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Idioms: enough is enough
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One should be satisfied; stop, there should be no more. For example, No more speeches--enough is enough, or as Robert Southey put it (The Doctor, 1834): "As for money, enough is enough; no man can enjoy more." This expression already appeared in John Heywood's proverb collection of 1546 and is often used as an interjection (first example).


 
 

 

Copyrights:

Proverbs. The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs. Copyright © 1982, 1992, 1998, 2003, 2004 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.  Read more
Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more