Phrase guide

polish off

verb · 5 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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1

verb

Meaning 1

To finish completely, especially a food (polish the plate with one's tongue) or liquor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • They polished off the last of the cake.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: finish off

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To remove by polishing (rubbing with a fine abrasive).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • White rice is rice that has had the brownish hull polished off leaving just the white inner part of the grain.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

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, clear up, finish up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: complete, finish

Narrower terms: cap off

4

verb

Meaning 4

finish eating all the food on one's plate or on the table

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She polished off the remaining potatoes

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: eat up, finish

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: eat

Narrower terms: tuck in, tuck away, put away

5

verb

Meaning 5

kill intentionally and with premeditation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: murder, slay, hit, dispatch, bump off, off, remove

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: kill

Narrower terms: burke, execute

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: излапвам (izlapvam) — To finish completely, especially a food
  • Polish: dokańczać — To finish completely, especially a food
  • Polish: dokończyć — To finish completely, especially a food
  • Spanish: dar buena cuenta de — To finish completely, especially a food
  • Swedish: klämma — To finish completely, especially a food