stick the landing
To complete a process in an impressive and conclusive manner.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She finished her presentation perfectly and stuck the landing.”
“He wants to stick the landing during his final speech today.”
“The team worked hard on the final project and really stuck the landing during the client meeting.”
“The chef struggled with the main course but managed to stick the landing by serving a dessert that everyone loved.”
“The director worried about the movie's complicated ending, but the final scene was so moving that the film really stuck the landing.”
“Despite the mounting pressure and the complexity of the merger, the executive team managed to stick the landing with a flawless final announcement.”
From the verb stick, in the sense of placing or thrusting something accurately into a specific location. The term relies on the image of precision, as one might fix a physical object firmly in place with a single motion.
The idiom does not derive from the aircraft control stick, nor does it share a history with the deadstick landing, where the stick refers to a wooden propeller that has ceased to rotate. It is a matter of accuracy rather than mechanics.
- 01
beat off with a stick
To reject (a person making an unwanted amorous approach).
- 02
beat with the ugly stick
Used to describe someone who is particularly ugly or unattractive.
- 03
carrot and stick
The simultaneous rewarding of good behavior and punishing of bad behavior.
- 04
clue stick
A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.
- 05
deadstick landing
A forced landing without propulsion of an aircraft that normally operates with propulsion.
- 06
get on the stick
To get started; to begin working; to become active.
- 07
get stuck in
To dedicate a large amount of effort towards.
- 08
happy landings
Successful outcome or outcomes.
Last updated August 10, 2026