Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'that’s that,' a common expression signifying finality or completion.
The phrase “that’s that” is commonly employed to denote the conclusion or completion of a matter. It signifies that no further discussion or action is necessary, often implying a sense of finality or acceptance of the situation as it stands.
The expression “that’s that” may trace its origins to the earlier phrase “that’s for that,” as documented in James Kelly’s Scottish Proverbs (1721), which stated, “That’s for that. . . . Spoken when a thing fits nicely what it was design’d for.” This suggests an early association with appropriateness or fittingness. The contemporary usage of “that’s that” emerged in the early twentieth century, with variations such as “and that is that,” “and that’s that,” and “well, that’s that” gaining popularity by the mid-twentieth century.
Semantically, “that’s that” conveys a sense of closure or resignation. It can express acceptance of an outcome, often when further debate is deemed futile. The phrase may carry a neutral or slightly dismissive tone, depending on the context, and is frequently used to signal the end of a discussion or to affirm the completion of a task.
In contemporary culture, “that’s that” is often used in casual conversation to indicate that a decision has been made or a situation has been resolved. It appears in various forms of media, including literature and film, where characters use it to assert finality or acceptance of circumstances. The phrase is versatile, appearing in both formal and informal contexts.
In professional settings, “that’s that” may be used to indicate the conclusion of a project or decision-making process. Socially, it might be employed to end a conversation or dispute. In literature, it can serve as a narrative device to convey a character’s acceptance or resignation.
The phrase “that’s that” remains relevant in modern discourse due to its succinctness and versatility. Its continued usage across various contexts suggests a durability rating of ★★★★☆.
“But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour.’ And that’s that.” - Winston Churchill, Speech to the House of Commons (1940)