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Glite Dictionary
to finish out

to finish out

11 4.0
To complete something by adding the final touches
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : concluir
  • She plans to finish out the project by adding the final touches this week.
  • finish out the season
  • finish out this year
  • finish out my term

And, you know, we finished out the semester.

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Examples

Synonyms

to end
vsto finish out
∞ 1.0

To stop something or make it finish

focuses specifically on ending through small final touches rather than mere stopping
to finish
vsto finish out
∞ 1.0

To bring something to an end or complete it

adds focus on final small details rather than simply reaching an end
to close
vsto finish out
∞ 1.0

To finish an event, meeting, or activity

is less formal and focuses on the small final details that finish things
to complete
vsto finish out
∞ 1.0

To finish something or make it whole

is more specifically about finishing by adding last small details
to wrap up
vsto finish out
226 3.0

Finish an activity or task

leans more toward adding final touches and details than general closure
to finish up
vsto finish out
190 2.0

To complete an activity or task

stresses adding small finishing touches more than general task ending
to get it done
vsto finish out
134 2.8

To finish a task you need to do

emphasizes adding final small touches rather than simply achieving completion
to top
vsto finish out
92 3.2

To finish something by adding a final detail or touch

is about ending by adding last small details rather than broad completion
to finalize
vsto finish out
  • US
74 3.8

Complete the last details to make something ready

focuses more on adding small finishing touches than only deciding things
to finish off
vsto finish out
31 2.5

To complete the last part of a task

places more emphasis on adding small final details than only doing the last step
to top off
vsto finish out
  • Informal
30 3.9

Add a final thing to make something feel complete

is about adding final small details rather than just a satisfying extra
to tie up
vsto finish out
22 3.3

Finish the last small details to complete something

focuses more narrowly on adding final small details rather than general closure
to come to a close
vsto finish out
22 3.5

To end, often after a meeting or event

is more about intentionally adding final details than simply reaching an end
to close out
vsto finish out
19 3.9

Finish a project, account, or process

is more about adding last informal touches than formal concluding steps
to wind up
vsto finish out
17 3.7

Bring an activity or meeting to an end

is narrower, stressing the addition of final small details to conclude
to finish the project
vsto finish out
15 1.8

Complete all the work needed for a task

is more narrowly about adding small finishing details rather than finishing all work
to round out
vsto finish out
15 3.5

Make something more complete by adding parts

focuses on small finishing details rather than adding substantial new parts
to clear up
vsto finish out
12 2.6

To finish tasks completely so nothing is left

is more about adding final stylistic or small details than broad clearing up
to consummate
vsto finish out
  • Formal
8 7.4

To make something complete or perfect

focuses on small final touches rather than raising overall excellence
to cap off
vsto finish out
  • Informal
7 3.7

Finish something with a special final action like a show or speech

is more about careful small details than a single dramatic ending action
to tie up loose ends
vsto finish out
  • Informal
6 3.6

Finish small remaining tasks and problems before ending a project

is similar but emphasizes adding final small touches rather than only tying issues
to mop up
vsto finish out
  • Informal
1 3.3

To finish the last parts of a job

is about ending by adding final touches rather than only clearing last parts
to round off
vsto finish out
1 3.6

To add small final touches to make something complete

is the same action but used more for simple final detail addition
to cap it all off
vsto finish out
  • Informal
5.7

To finish something in a very impressive way

is steadier and focused on overall finishing touches rather than a showy end

How Complete

to perfect
118 3.9
to finalize
  • US
74 3.8
to finish out
11 4.0
to finish
∞ 1.0
to close
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

finish out infinitive
finished out past
finished out past participle
finishing out present participle
finishes out third person singular

Morphology

finish + out

The verb 'finish' already means 'bring to completion' and the particle 'out' commonly adds a sense of completeness or carrying something through to the end, so the combined meaning 'complete/bring to an end (including final touches)' is directly derivable from the parts. This follows a common English verb + out compositional pattern that a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand.

Etymology

Finish out comes from building work: imagine a builder who has put up the walls and then adds the last fixtures, paint and trim to finish the room out. So, it means 'to complete something by adding the final touches'.