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Fri 4 Mar, 2011 03:00 am
that was that = that was the case ("the viewpoint that there were certain people blessed with creativity ")?
Context:
As Carson conducted her research and reviewed the work of others in the field, she shifted from the viewpoint that there were certain people blessed with creativity and that was that. As she worked, she realized that, physically, we’re all wired to be creative, it’s just that some of us are better able to access the creative processes in our brains.
Yes, but this is a stock phrase (in the American language, at least--i couldn't say if it is widely used in England). The expression "and that's that" (which is "that was that" in the simple past tense) is used to denote something which is not or ought not to be questioned.
"Your mother's made up her mind, and that's that." (Don't waste your time arguing, your mother has decided and you can't change her.)
"The drunken sailor said: 'You can't do that!' and the innkeeper grabbed him by his shirt collar and ran him out the door--and that was that." (The drunken sailor tried to argue, but the inkeeper threw him out, ending all further discussion.)
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