…다가 급기야 + (bad) outcome, often with -고 말다
in the end, finally (after things got worse)
Example
두 사람은 계속 다투다가 급기야 헤어지고 말았어요.
The two kept fighting and in the end broke up.
Word parts
From a Classical Chinese phrase, roughly 'when it finally came to that'.
Good to know
Usually introduces a dramatic or negative result, often with -고 말다.
Related words