finish him off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finish him off" is correct and can be used in written English.
You would use this phrase to refer to completing a task, or to mean "defeat" someone or something. For example, "He was on the brink of victory, but his opponent finished him off with one last well-placed move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We didn't finish him off.

The New York Times - Sports

But did it finish him off?

The Guardian - Sport

Will Eric Pickles's intervention finish him off?

The Guardian

A threat was phoned in: We will finish him off.

The New York Times

I want to go over there and finish him off".

The New York Times

In hospital, he thought the gunmen would come back to find him and finish him off.

The Guardian

Ben-David yelled, "Finish him off!" "He started to gurgle," Ben-David told the police.

The New Yorker

To finish him off," Frost says before the interview resumes, and he does just that.

The New Yorker

He didn't die right away; it took four decades of exile to finish him off.

The New York Times

A man pointed a rifle at his head and threatened to finish him off.

The Guardian

That, too, is a reason why ministers hesitated to finish him off.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "finish him off", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the level of formality required. While acceptable in informal settings, more professional or academic writing may benefit from using alternatives like "complete the task" or "seal his fate".

Common error

Avoid using "finish him off" in formal writing. It's too informal and may sound aggressive or inappropriate. Opt for a more neutral and professional alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish him off" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as a phrasal verb. It serves to describe the act of completing a task or defeating an opponent, often with a sense of finality. Ludwig's examples show its usage across various contexts, indicating its adaptability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "finish him off" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of decisively completing a task or defeating an opponent. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and acceptable in written English. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts, its informal tone makes it less suitable for formal or academic writing. When using this phrase, consider the context and choose a more appropriate alternative if necessary, like "complete the task" or "deliver the final blow".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put an end to him

A straightforward way of saying to end someone's involvement.

deliver the final blow

Focuses on the action that ends the confrontation or task.

seal his fate

Emphasizes the irreversible nature of the final action.

administer the coup de grâce

A more formal and decisive way to say "finish him off."

put the nail in his coffin

Highlights the conclusive nature of the action, often implying the end of something.

end his run

Suggests bringing someone's period of success or activity to a halt.

bring him to his knees

Emphasizes the act of defeating someone completely.

take him down

A more general term for defeating or stopping someone.

complete the task

Focuses solely on finishing the objective, without necessarily involving conflict.

close the deal

Referring to the final steps or actions needed to complete a business agreement

FAQs

How can I use "finish him off" in a sentence?

You can use "finish him off" to describe completing a task or defeating someone. For example, "He weakened his opponent, and now he's ready to finish him off." Keep in mind this phrase is informal.

What does "finish him off" mean?

The phrase "finish him off" means to complete the task of defeating someone or something, or to complete the last stage of an action. It implies a decisive act that brings something to an end.

What can I say instead of "finish him off"?

You can use alternatives like "deliver the final blow", "put an end to him", or "complete the task" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "finish him off" in a formal setting?

No, "finish him off" is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal settings. More appropriate alternatives would be "complete the task" or "achieve the objective".