finished strong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finished strong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who completed a task or activity with great effort or success, particularly towards the end. Example: "Despite the challenges faced throughout the project, the team finished strong and delivered an outstanding final presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They finished strong".

The New York Times - Sports

She got up and finished strong.

The Washington Post

We started poorly, but finished strong".

The Guardian - Sport

Lalor came back and finished strong.

The New York Times - Sports

We finished strong which is good thing.

The Guardian - Sport

They were damaged early but finished strong.

The New York Times - Sports

Washington finished strong, winning 15 of its last 20.

The New York Times

"I finished strong with a sprint," he said.

The New Yorker

"So I let her go and she finished strong.

The New York Times - Sports

But at Lavietes Pavilion on Feb. 27, the Crimson finished strong.

Harvard University

He finished strong, with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks and a memorable dunk.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finished strong" to emphasize not just completion, but a successful and impactful conclusion, particularly when earlier stages faced challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "finished strong" when the entity or subject barely managed to complete the task. The phrase implies a degree of excellence or notable success at the end, not just a bare minimum completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finished strong" primarily functions as a predicate describing how an entity (person, team, project, etc.) completed a task or period. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and widely used to indicate a successful and impactful conclusion. The examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, emphasizing a positive final performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "finished strong" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe a successful conclusion, particularly after overcoming challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys a sense of admiration for achieving a positive outcome. For alternative phrasing, consider "ended on a high note" or "concluded successfully". To ensure proper usage, avoid using the phrase when describing barely successful completions. Use it to highlight entities that overcame difficulties and ended with considerable achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a strong finish

Reorders the words but retains the core meaning.

closed strongly

Uses an adverb to modify the verb 'closed'.

ended on a high note

Focuses on the positive and successful aspect of the ending.

concluded successfully

Emphasizes the successful completion of something.

closed out victoriously

Highlights the winning aspect of the conclusion.

ended triumphantly

Stresses the triumphant nature of the ending.

finished with a flourish

Implies a stylish and impressive conclusion.

completed with distinction

Focuses on the high quality and excellence of the completion.

completed robustly

Emphasizes the powerful and vigorous nature of the completion.

wrapped up decisively

Highlights the clear and determined nature of the conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "finished strong" in a sentence?

You can use "finished strong" to describe a team, individual, or project that concluded with notable success or effort, especially after facing earlier challenges. For example, "Despite a rocky start, the team "finished strong" and delivered the project on time".

What's the difference between "finished strong" and "started strong"?

"Finished strong" means to end an activity or period successfully, often implying overcoming earlier difficulties. "Started strong" means to begin an activity or period successfully, setting a good initial pace or impression.

What can I say instead of "finished strong"?

You can use alternatives like "ended on a high note", "concluded successfully", or "made a strong finish" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "finished strongly"?

While "finished strongly" is grammatically correct, "finished strong" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Strong" functions as an adverb in this phrase, describing the manner of finishing.