close to the finishing line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to the finishing line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is nearly completed or at the final stage of a process or task. Example: "After months of hard work, we are finally close to the finishing line with this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Is Romney close to the finishing line?

The Guardian - Opinion

In the other semi-final the former world No1 Ding Junhui manoeuvred himself close to the finishing line against Alan McManus as he moved 14-10 clear, having been seven balls away from a maximum in the 20th frame.

The Guardian - Sport

Chris Rees, whose family submitted an application for protected status for Carmarthen ham four years ago, said: "There's been a lot of work involved, but we are delighted to hear that we are close to the finishing line.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Federal prosecutors allege that Tsarnaev and his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, planted improvised bombs made from pressure cookers close to the finishing line of the Boston marathon on 15 April.

The Guardian

The reason he felt the need to be so emphatic is that the thing he claims he will get done comprehensive health reform now looks increasingly undoable.It took a year of bitter wrangling in Congress to get Mr Obama's health-reform plan close to the finishing line.

The Economist

We were that close to the finishing line but that's all done and dusted now.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I've already got my date with an ice bath and some chocolate milk at my good pal and running buddy Aubrey's so-close-to-the-finish-line apartment and a post-race victory party lined up with Caitlin and our friends and family (at a top secret location).

Huffington Post

IF YOU GO Off to the Races THE 2003 Nascar Winston Cup Championship season is close to the finish line.

The New York Times - Travel

"They were willing to work with the village, but every time they got close to the finish line, the village moved the line," Ms. Savolt said.

The New York Times

That was quite a relief to Outteridge, who had the gold medal in sight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics only to capsize close to the finish line.

The New York Times - Sports

The university said she was watching the race close to the finish line with two friends, one of whom was in stable condition at Boston Medical Center.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to the finishing line" to create a sense of anticipation and excitement when describing the final stages of a project or endeavor.

Common error

Don't say "We're close" without specifying what you are close to. Always clarify by using "close to the finishing line" or another similar phrase to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to the finishing line" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the state of being near completion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

17%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to the finishing line" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to convey that something is nearing completion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and appropriate usage. While it's common in News & Media and Sport, its register remains relatively neutral, making it adaptable across various writing styles. Consider using it to add a sense of anticipation when highlighting progress. For alternatives, consider "nearing completion" or "almost done".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the end

A general way of saying something is almost finished.

almost done

A simpler, more direct way to express nearing completion.

nearing completion

Focuses on the state of being almost complete.

in the final stages

Highlights that the last steps are being taken.

on the verge of completion

Emphasizes being at the very edge of finishing.

drawing to a close

Indicates the ending is imminent.

in the home stretch

An idiom referring to the final part of a race or task.

on the last lap

An idiom referring to the final part of the race.

nearing the goal

Emphasizes the achievement of a specific objective.

approaching the deadline

Specifically refers to nearing a time limit.

FAQs

What does "close to the finishing line" mean?

The phrase "close to the finishing line" means that something is nearly completed or at the final stage of a process or task.

What can I say instead of "close to the finishing line"?

You can use alternatives like "nearing completion", "almost done", or "near the end" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "close to the finishing line" in formal writing?

Yes, "close to the finishing line" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, although in certain highly formal contexts, alternatives like "nearing completion" might be preferred.

How do I use "close to the finishing line" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe projects, tasks, or even personal goals. For example: "After months of hard work, we are finally close to the finishing line with this project".