ENGLISH
REFERENCE

finish up

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford General-service

phr. v.. to complete the last part of a task or activity so that it is totally finished.

phr. v.. to bring a task or process to a final conclusion; often implies the completion of minor remaining details or the final stage of an action.


SIMPLE

I just need ten minutes to finish up this report.

CONTEXTUAL

We should finish up the meeting now so everyone can get home before the storm starts.

COMPLEX

The construction crew worked late into the evening to finish up the remaining aesthetic touches before the grand opening the following morning.

Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
finish + up (+ object)
Usage

often used when the main work is done and only small details remain.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'finish'; 'finish up' emphasizes the finality or the 'wrapping up' phase of a project.

Pitfall

I finished up to read the book.I finished up reading the book.like 'finish', 'finish up' is followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.

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