Meaning & usage
あげくに expresses that after a long period of struggling, hesitating, or repeating an action, a disappointing or unfortunate result finally occurs. It emphasizes wasted effort or an unexpected bad ending. It follows the past tense form of a verb, as in 迷ったあげくに or 悩んだあげくに, with に being optional. It is not used for neutral sequences or positive planned outcomes.
Example sentences 4
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さんざん迷ったあげくに、結局何も買わずに帰った。
After agonizing over it forever, I ended up going home without buying anything.
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彼は何時間も悩んだあげくに、会社を辞めることにした。
After hours of struggling with the decision, he decided to quit the company.
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兄は両親とさんざん口論したあげくに、家を出てしまった。
After a long argument with our parents, my brother ended up leaving home.
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値段について何度も交渉したあげくに、取引はまとまらなかった。
After negotiating the price many times, the deal ultimately fell through.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 2 past exam questions.
