finish off

Related to finish off: stick to, bumped into

finish off

1. To finish the last part of something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "finish" and "off." Here, take the last piece and finish off the pie. Printing is the last step in finishing off this project, thank goodness.
2. To end something in a particular way. A noun or pronoun can be used between "finish" and "off." They finished off the reception with one last slow dance.
3. To kill someone or something that is wounded and near death. A noun or pronoun can be used between "finish" and "off." You need to finish off the deer you've shot—don't let it suffer.
See also: finish, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

finish (someone or an animal) off

to kill someone or an animal that is already injured or wounded. They had to finish the wounded bear off with a revolver. The hunter finished off the bear.
See also: finish, off

finish (something) off (with something)

to bring something to a conclusion with something. She finished the dinner off with fancy cheeses and fruit. She finished off the dinner with pie.
See also: finish, off

finish someone or something off

Fig. to complete some activity being performed on someone or something. Let's finish this one off and go home. Yes, let's finish off this one. Nancy is cutting Elaine's hair. When she finishes her off, she will be ready to leave.
See also: finish, off

finish something off

Fig. to eat or drink up all of something; to eat or drink up the last portion of something. Let's finish the turkey off. You finish off the turkey. I've had enough.
See also: finish, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

finish off

v.
1. To complete the last part of a task or process: The staff finished off the final items on the agenda and ended the meeting. The crew finished the cleaning tasks off before leaving for the day.
2. To consume the last part of something, such as food or a resource: I finished off that last piece of bread. We finished the cake off.
3. To finish something in a particular way: We finished off the hot day with one final swim. The teacher finished the semester off with a big party.
See also: finish, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • cap off
  • he who begins many things finishes but few
  • He who begins many things, finishes but few
  • finish up
  • from start to finish
  • eat something up
  • Eat up!
  • cap it all
  • be on (one's) last legs
  • end (something) on a high note
References in periodicals archive
"Bua and Babua (Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav) will finish off after fighting among themselves.
Akhilesh ready to sacrifice Lok Sabha seats to continue alliance with BSP
'The Armed Forces of the Philippines is delusional in saying that it will finish off the New People's Army or in Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Rey Guerrero's reprise, reduce the NPA 'by half' in the middle of 2018,' the CPP said in a statement.
Armed Forces of the Philippines 'delusional' in finishing off Reds in a year-CPP
He added:"We are in excellent form at home - our aim is to maintain that and we want to finish off the month of September well."
City out to maintain perfect home run
He stressed the dissident deputies' determination not to return to the NCA, as the deadline proposed to finish off its mission is unfeasible.
Dissident deputies refuse to return to NCA
"We've proved we can get into a position to finish off the teams in the Six Nations and I think a sneaky Grand Slam could be just what it takes to finish off one of the big three in the autumn.
Wales can 'sneak' a Slam title - Quinnell
EVERTON Under-18s boss Kevin Sheedy was left frustrated again when his young side were unable to finish off Bolton Wanderers last weekend.
WE SHOULD HAVE WON - SHEEDY; BLUE boys
But Huddersfield again upped their game to finish off with tries from Cooper and a second for Price.
Academy taKe their revenge
"This is what it was all about - come here, get a medal and finish off a great year," said Wiggins, who broke his collarbone during the Tour de France.
WIGGINS HAS TO SETTLE FOR SILVER; CYCLING
To finish off, use Avon SuperShock Mascara in black.
Five steps to... recreating Cheryl Cole's great look; Beauty Talk 48million people have seen Sam and Nic on YouTube. Now you can benefit from their advice too
"We have got thousands of people going again, so I hope we can finish off with a positive result and give ourselves a chance to finish 10th."
Bruce focused
"Roy Jones is a nice guy, full of respect and that will be a massive fight and what a way to finish off your career against the former middleweight, super-middleweight, lightheavy and heavyweight champion of the world.
Boxing: Calzaghe: Give me one more fight
Rovers finish off the Alliance campaign with four away games, starting with a visit to two Port Vale on Saturday.
Football: Young Rovers extend run with battering of Bury
Terrified, she gives in to his demands to help him finish off Sally in hospital.
tv & soaps: home & away
'It will decide how we finish off this season's campaign.
Williams laments late tries for Scots
2) Put popcorn in waxed paper-lined tins, and finish off with a bow.
Sweet stuff: she's got a sugar cravin' that just won't quit. Satisfy her sweet tooth with candy and other yummy things