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finish line

finish line

79 1.4
The line at the end of a race that people must cross to finish
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪnɪʃ laɪn/
translation icon : línea de meta
  • As the runners approached the finish line, the crowd erupted in cheers.
  • cross the finish line
  • cross the finish line first

And and then he dies at the finish line, but he wins.

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Examples

  • One hill and a left turn stood between Dave and the finish line.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Emily stretched out her powerful legs and crossed the finish line ahead of the other runners.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I just need one of my cars across the finish line first.

  • See you at the finish line, Mr. Rose!

  • Thousands plan to be on hand to witness those who make it as they approach the finish line.

  • As he closed in on the leaders, he could see the finish line.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • When she crossed the finish line, she had done it again.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • When those guys cross the finish line, the cheers are deafening.

  • Just cross that finish line, and you'll be a real racer.

  • The athlete was thrilled to be the first to cross the finish line and win the race.

Synonyms

finish
vsfinish line
106 1.0

The line where a race or journey ends

is specific to a marked line in races rather than any endpoint
tape
vsfinish line
16 1.6

A strip stretched across a race finish to mark the end

is the abstract marked line rather than the physical strip
finishing line
vsfinish line
2 2.2

A line that marks the end of a race

is identical in meaning but differs by word form
winning post
vsfinish line
  • UK
5.2

A post at a race track that shows where the race ends

marks the line itself rather than a physical marker

Antonyms

12 2.0

A marked line where people begin a race or game

Surface Forms

finish line singular
finish lines plural

Morphology

finish + line

The meaning 'a line marking the end point of a race' is directly and transparently built from 'finish' (end) + 'line' (a mark or boundary). This simple noun-noun compound follows a common compositional pattern found across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrase finish line comes from races where people put a line or a ribbon across the track, and the first person to cross it was said to have 'finished' the race. So today finish line means the point where a race or task ends.