〜始末だ
JLPT N1:ended up in the bad state of
Summarizes the final bad outcome of a worsening sequence, with criticism, exasperation or regret.
How to form it
- Put a dictionary-form verb before 始末だ: 休む始末だ.
- The earlier context normally describes the process that led to this culmination.
- まで often marks how far matters went: 警察まで呼ばれる始末だ.
Examples
彼は遅刻を繰り返し、ついには無断で休む始末だ。
He kept arriving late and finally even ended up absent without notice.
二人の口論は激しくなり、警察まで呼ばれる始末だった。
Their argument escalated until the police even had to be called.
Common mistakes
- Using it for a positive culmination.
- Reading 始末 only in its lexical senses of handling or circumstances.