Phrase guide

finish up

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To complete the last details of a task.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • They were finishing up the dishes.
  • Their shift was over, but they were still finishing up.
  • I'll finish up my homework and then we can go out.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To consume the last part of (something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Do you want to finish up these cookies?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

finally be or do something

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He ended up marrying his high school sweetheart
  • he wound up being unemployed and living at home again

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: land up, fetch up, end up, wind up, finish

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: act, move

4

verb

Meaning 4

finish a task completely

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I finally got through this homework assignment

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: get through, wrap up, finish off, mop up, polish off, clear up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: complete, finish

Narrower terms: cap off

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: viimeistellä — to complete last details
  • Finnish: lopetella — to complete last details
  • Finnish: tehdä loppuun — to complete last details
  • French: fignoler — to complete last details
  • Portuguese: finalizar — to complete last details
  • Portuguese: terminar — to complete last details