final furlong

USAGE SUMMARY

"final furlong" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the last part of a race or a concluding phase of an endeavor. For example: "As they approached the final furlong, the crowd erupted in cheers." Alternative expressions include "last stretch" and "final stretch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bustino faltered inside the final furlong, rallied, then finally had to give best by half a length.

The Guardian

Applicator flied In the final furlong.

The New York Times

In the final furlong it was a two-horse race.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Squirtle Squirt edged his way clear in the final furlong.

The New York Times - Sports

He really hung in tough through the final furlong".

The New York Times - Sports

Here, what you see is what you get in the final furlong".

The Guardian - Sport

Birdstone gradually reeled him in, though, and just managed to assert himself in the final furlong.

The Guardian - Sport

He was starting to fall back and continued to weaken in the final furlong.

The New York Times - Sports

Right now, they're in the final furlong, doing public performances of their two graduation shows.

The Guardian

Even inside the final furlong, there were still those who doubted him.

The Guardian - Sport

It was not until the final furlong that Rachel Alexandra, who is owned by Jess Jackson, edged away.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "final furlong" when you want to evoke a sense of nearing completion, especially in contexts involving competition, effort, or a long endeavor.

Common error

Avoid using "final furlong" in contexts that have nothing to do with races or long, strenuous efforts. The metaphor's impact is lost when applied to short, simple tasks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "final furlong" functions primarily as a metaphorical noun phrase, often used adverbially to describe the concluding stage of an activity, project, or process. Ludwig AI shows many examples in news and sports contexts where it signifies nearing completion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "final furlong" is a very common phrase, particularly in news and media, that refers to the concluding stage of a race or project. While originating from horse racing, its use has expanded metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and widespread usage. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to evoke a sense of nearing completion, competition, and effort. Remember to avoid using it in contexts that are too short or lack the sense of a long, strenuous endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

home stretch

Replaces "furlong" with "stretch", maintaining the racing context but with a slightly less specific measurement.

finishing straight

A synonym for "home stretch", it's another way of describing the concluding part of a race.

last leg

Shifts the metaphor to a journey, implying the final segment of a trip or process.

the final push

Emphasizes the effort and drive needed to complete something.

final stage

Generalizes the concept to any concluding phase, losing the racing imagery but keeping the sense of completion.

closing stages

Refers to the last part of an event or process.

endgame

Emphasizes the strategic aspect of reaching the end, often used in competitive situations.

final act

Draws a parallel to a theatrical performance, highlighting the concluding part of a play or event.

eleventh hour

Focuses on the urgency and lateness of the final moment, suggesting a last-minute effort.

the bitter end

Highlights the potential for difficulty or unpleasantness in the final stages.

FAQs

How is "final furlong" used in a sentence?

The phrase "final furlong" is typically used to describe the concluding part of a race or a long project. For example: "The team is in the final furlong of the project, working hard to meet the deadline."

What's a good substitute for "final furlong"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "home stretch", "last leg", or "final stage".

Is "final furlong" only used in horse racing?

While "final furlong" originates from horse racing, its usage has expanded to describe the concluding phase of various endeavors, not just literal races. It adds a sense of urgency and competition.

What does "furlong" mean in "final furlong"?

A furlong is a unit of distance equal to one-eighth of a mile. In horse racing, the "final furlong" refers to the last eighth of a mile of the race.