From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishafter allafter alla) IN FACTin spite of what you thought was true or expected to happen He wrote to say they couldn’t give me a job after all. Union leaders announced that they would, after all, take part in the national conference. b) IN FACTused to say that something should be remembered or considered, because it helps to explain what you have just said Prisoners should be treated with respect – they are human beings after all. I don’t know why you’re so concerned – it isn’t your problem after all. → after
Examples from the Corpus
after all• He wrote to say they couldn't give me a job after all.• But some things are private, after all.• Is that on the cards, or has Unesco got some rules that he is going to enforce after all?• It was her father's home, after all.• It was their country, after all.• Something should be celebrated after all, in these dim days.• I don't know why you're so concerned; after all, it isn't your problem.• Rita didn't have my pictures after all - Jake did.• Printing and presentation should be as attractive as possible - after all the library is an attractive place isn't it?• These are, after all, very familiar species. 