Elvis has left the building
The star departed
Elvis has left the building is an announcement that something is definitively over—there's no encore coming, no reason to wait around.
The phrase originated as a literal announcement at Elvis Presley concerts to disperse crowds who wouldn't leave.
Now it signals any conclusive departure or ending: The meeting's done, Elvis has left the building.
Often used with theatrical finality or dry humor.
- end of storyEmphatic conclusion phrase
- GracelandMemphis music pilgrimage site
- rock and rollRhythm-heavy fifties pop
- mic dropTriumphant performance-ending gesture
- that's a wrapFilming session concluded
curtain call · Memphis · last hurrah · signing off · finito · Hound Dog · game over · closing time · Jailhouse Rock · memeification · Heartbreak Hotel · colloquialism · standing ovation · figurative language · farewell · catchphrase · exit stage left · departure
Elvis has left the buildingthe show must go on
Theatre's resilience creed
Elvis Presley · encore · to be continued · stay tuned · opening night
having, leaving, building, builds, builder, builders, rebuild, rebuilding