finish the job at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finish the job at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to completing a specific task or responsibility that is currently being worked on. Example: "Before we move on to the next project, let's finish the job at hand to ensure everything is completed properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And my mom and dad, besides the many other things that they taught me, one thing was to always finish the job at hand.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have scored the away goal and we have to finish the job at home".

Independent

The first thing was to finish the job at Kentucky.

Los Angeles Times

They finished the job at 9 o'clock last night".

The New York Times

Getting a result down there and coming back and finishing the job at Wycombe.

BBC

2060 of the 2064 (99.8%) respondents who answered both year started and year finished questions about the job done for most of their working life reported finishing the job at least one year after they started the job.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It comes down to wanting to reach the finish line and get the job (at hand) done.

Huffington Post

By-the-hour consultants have little incentive to finish the job soon, at a reasonable cost.

Forbes

Devereux was uniquely qualified for the job at hand.

The New Yorker

He got very focused at the job at hand.

The New York Times - Sports

The Islanders have been attentive to the job at hand.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "finish the job at hand", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific task or responsibility being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what needs completion.

Common error

Avoid using "finish the job at hand" when the task is vaguely defined or when it is unclear what 'job' is being referenced. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish the job at hand" functions primarily as a directive or imperative. It conveys a strong recommendation or instruction to complete a specific task. Ludwig AI states it is correct and usable. Examples show it's often used to emphasize commitment to ongoing responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finish the job at hand" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to emphasize the importance of completing the task at hand. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news, media, scientific, and wiki contexts, it serves as a directive to focus and ensure completion, and it maintains a neutral register appropriate for various communication settings. By understanding its proper usage and avoiding overgeneralization, writers can effectively employ this phrase to convey commitment and encourage action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete the task

Focuses on completion, omitting the 'at hand' aspect of current relevance.

see it through

Emphasizes perseverance until the end, adding an implication of overcoming difficulties.

wrap up the project

Specifically refers to projects, implying a structured undertaking.

bring to completion

Highlights the act of finalizing something, suitable for formal contexts.

execute completely

Stresses thoroughness in performance, often used in professional settings.

carry out fully

Implies a plan or instruction being followed to its entirety.

discharge the duty

Emphasizes fulfilling an obligation or responsibility.

finalise the undertaking

Undertaking suggests something significant and implies a formal closure.

settle the matter

Indicates resolving an issue, shifting the focus from action to resolution.

resolve the situation

Situation broadens the context to any set of circumstances needing resolution.

FAQs

What does "finish the job at hand" mean?

It means to complete the task or duty that you are currently working on, giving it your full attention until it is done.

How can I use "finish the job at hand" in a sentence?

You might say, "Before starting a new project, we need to "finish the job at hand" to ensure everything is properly concluded."

Are there alternatives to "finish the job at hand"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "complete the task", "see it through", or "wrap up the project" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "finish the job at hand"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the importance of completing the current task before moving on to something else, often implying a sense of responsibility or commitment.