English

Phrase

enough is enough

1. One should be satisfied; nothing additional is required.
   • 1920, Thornton W. Burgess, Old Granny Fox, ch. 25:

     "Aren't you going to get any more while we have the chance?" grumbled Reddy.

     "Enough is enough," retorted Granny.

   • 1987 Nov. 11, "Reagan on dollar fall: ‘Enough is enough’," The Southeast Missourian, p. 1 (retrieved 22 Nov 2013):

     Other administration officials have hinted the dollar may have to fall further, but President Reagan says enough is enough. . . . "I don't look for a further decline, don't want a further decline."

2. (especially as an expression of exasperation) The limit of patience or tolerance has been reached.
   • 1961, Jan. 4, "Editorial: Why not Sever All Cuban Ties?," Spartanburg Herald-Journal, p. 4 (retrieved 22 Nov 2013):

     With every new indignity served upon the United States by the fanatical Fidel Castro comes an immediate, and lasting, impulse to declare that enough is enough.

   • 1994 Jan. 22, Richard L. Berke, "G.O.P. Sees Crime as a Major Issue," New York Times (retrieved 22 Nov 2013):

     "I want a crime bill that grabs violent criminals by the throat," Mr. Gramm said. " . . . [T]here reaches a point where you've got to say, ‘Enough is enough.’"

   • 2013 Sep. 25, Desmond Tutu, "Every Child Deserves A Quality Education," forbes.com (retrieved 22 Nov 2013):

     Enough is enough! It is time for decisive leadership and immediate action.

Synonyms

• (limit of patience or tolerance has been reached): enough is too much

Translations