'Sooner or later' definitions:

Definition of 'Sooner or later'

From: GCIDE
  • Soon \Soon\ (s[=oo]n), adv. [OE. sone, AS. s[=o]na; cf. OFries. s[=o]n, OS. s[=a]na, s[=a]no, OHG. s[=a]r, Goth. suns.]
  • 1. In a short time; shortly after any time specified or supposed; as, soon after sunrise. "Sooner said than done." --Old Proverb. "As soon as it might be." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • She finished, and the subtle fiend his lore Soon learned. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Without the usual delay; before any time supposed; early. [1913 Webster]
  • How is it that ye are come so soon to-day? --Ex. ii. 18. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Promptly; quickly; easily. [1913 Webster]
  • Small lights are soon blown out, huge fires abide. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Readily; willingly; -- in this sense used with would, or some other word expressing will. [1913 Webster]
  • I would as soon see a river winding through woods or in meadows, as when it is tossed up in so many whimsical figures at Versailles. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • As soon as, or So soon as, immediately at or after another event. "As soon as he came nigh unto the camp . . . he saw the calf, and the dancing." --Ex. xxxii. 19. See So . . . as, under So.
  • Soon at, as soon as; or, as soon as the time referred to arrives. [Obs.] "I shall be sent for soon at night." --Shak.
  • Sooner or later, at some uncertain time in the future; as, he will discover his mistake sooner or later.
  • With the soonest, as soon as any; among the earliest; too soon. [Obs.] --Holland. [1913 Webster]