What's the figurative meaning of "the end of the line"?

Question

Leaving aside the strong sexual connotations of the lyrics of Pulp's song "This Is Hardcore", I was wondering what is the figurative meaning of the expression the author used:

"This is the end of the line"

I thought it could be "this is it" or also could mean "I am putting an end to this", but I am not sure.

I was curious about the possible uses of the phrase, not only this particular case (ie, this lyrics).

Also, I would like to know about the literal meaning. Is it refering to a drawn line? A spoken line?

Answer 1

In the context of the song, it seems to mean something like "it doesn't get better than this." That's not typically what the expression means.

Wiktionary has these definitions:

1. The termination point of a railway or similar transportation system.
2. (idiomatic) Final cessation or discontinuance of a process, institution, or person, especially one which has existed for a considerable period of time; death.

You would typically use it to mean that whatever you're engaged in is over, has run its course, there's nowhere else for it to go. Dictionary.com gives the examples of a presidency term (s/he could never get re-elected) or a TV serial (declining viewership, it's time to stop the show).

Answer 2

It referred to a railroad line originally, the last stop being the "end of the line".