polish off

polish off

To consume, dispose of, or finish all of something very quickly or easily. A noun or pronoun can be used between "polish" and "off." I was still hungry after dinner, so I polished off the leftover Chinese food in the fridge. I'll come to the party a little later. I just need to polish off this essay first.
See also: off, polish
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

polish something off

to eat, consume, exhaust, or complete all of something. Who polished the cake off? Who polished off the cake?
See also: off, polish
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

polish off

Finish or dispose of, especially quickly and easily. For example, We polished off the pie in no time, or If everyone helps, we can polish off this job today. This usage, dating from the early 1800s, came from boxing, where it originally meant "to defeat an opponent quickly and easily." By the 1830s it was used more generally.
See also: off, polish
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

polish off

v.
1. To make something clean or shiny: The student polished off the apple and handed it to the teacher. I polished the vase off with a cloth and set it on the table.
2. To eliminate something, such as rust or a stain by rubbing: Please polish that spot off the doorknob. After much scrubbing, I finally polished off the stain.
3. Slang To finish or consume something enthusiastically: I polished off that last piece of cake. After we polish this pizza off, let's get dessert.
See also: off, polish
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • involve with
  • involve with (someone or something)
  • involved with
  • arrange for
  • arrange for some time
  • arrange some music for
  • back into
  • back into (someone or something)
  • add in
  • angle
References in periodicals archive
Polish Off ran his best race last time out at Brighton when, backed down to 7-2 favourite, he just failed to land the gamble, beaten two necks by Timeless Chick and Theatre Lady.
Racing: Ralph's adding a bit of polish
The judges scored it unanimously 120-109, 120-109, 120-108 to Williams but this was the first time he had ever needed more than four rounds to polish off a victim.
Danny gets a drab win
Melrose reckon a Kiwi star can help them polish off the Tennents Premiership title.
Sevens heaven for Karl
Instead of scoffing as many meat pies in three minutes as possible, contestants will race to polish off just one - and there's a low-fat veggie option.
Pie predict a riot, lads
Gallacher reckons he and the Everton star who once cleaned his boots as an apprentice at Dundee United could polish off our World Cup rivals.
I'd clean up with Big Dunc
And just because you've eaten it, it doesn't mean you may as well polish off the rest.
Your LIFE: 3 WAYS TO .. stop bingeing for food
That'll teach those skinny girls not to polish off their dinner...
3AM: Sheesh, Misch, howl that happen
Falcons boss Rob Andrew blamed tiredness following Sunday's 17-15 win over Wasps for the failure to polish off Leeds.
Rugby League: Handle with Care; Leeds 18 Newcastle 18
Starting at 8am, the Ryder Cup star needed only three holes to polish off Todd Hamilton 4&3 in his rain-delayed first-round match.
GOLF: OPEN AND SHUT CASES FOR LEE
Put them to beat Luton along with CHARLTON (11-4) to win at Middlesbrough, BRISTOL CITY (5-4) to polish off Huddersfield and RUSHDEN (5-4) to make mincemeat of Boston United.
SPORTS BETTING: WEEKEND FIXED-ODDS PRICES
Defender Butler is calling for Carrow Road carnage, insisting: "Our intention is to polish off this semi-final in the opening 90 minutes.
Football: Butler wants to kill them off
"I can't take the nail polish off because it reminds me of that moment when I was touching this animal.
Diaz: Nails remind me of whales
The Tribesmen had Gregory Kennedy sent off after 29 minutes but they raised their game to polish off the odds-on favourites at Croke Park.
GAA: Tribe go down memory Lane
I DON'T blame Princes William and Harry for encouraging their pals to polish off the contents of a drinks trolley laden with beer, wine and spirits at Windsor Castle.
Sue Carroll's column: Mark-down
CHRIS EUBANK finally admitted last night he has been too haunted by the injuries he inflicted on Michael Watson to polish off stricken opponents.
Eu bet I'll be tough