The spelling of "finishes off" is influenced by the phonetics of the word. /fɪnɪʃɪz ɒf/ uses the suffix "-es" to indicate the singular third person present tense. "Finish" itself uses the "sh" sound, spelled "sh", and the "-ish" suffix, which indicates a partial or somewhat approximate quality, and is spelled "-ish". The word "off" is spelled as it sounds, with the "o" representing the mid-back rounded vowel and the "f" representing the voiceless labiodental fricative consonant. Together, these phonetic elements create the spelling of "finishes off."
The term "finishes off" refers to the completion or conclusion of something, usually in a decisive or definitive manner. It is an idiomatic expression commonly used to describe the final steps or actions taken to bring a process, task, or event to its end or to ensure its successful conclusion.
In various contexts, "finishes off" can signify the act of completing a physical task or objective, such as finishing the last chapter of a book, putting the final touches on a painting or artwork, or completing the last step in a construction project. Additionally, it can refer to actions taken to ensure the demise or defeat of someone or something, often used metaphorically. For instance, in a sporting context, a team "finishing off" their opponents means they are scoring goals or points to secure a convincing victory.
"Finishes off" can also be employed in relation to consumables or food, implying the act of fully consuming or depleting a particular item. For example, someone who "finishes off" a plate of food is eating all the remaining portions until nothing is left. Similarly, in the context of beverages, finishing off a drink refers to consuming all of it.
Overall, "finishes off" refers to the final actions or steps taken to complete or conclude a process, task, objective, or to ensure the demise or defeat of someone or something.
The phrase "finishes off" is derived from the verb "finish" combined with the particle "off".
The term "finish" comes from the Old French word "finiss-", which was derived from the Latin word "finire" meaning "to limit, end, or finish". In English, "finish" initially referred to completing or bringing to an end. Over time, it acquired a broader sense of finalizing, concluding, or completing a task or process.
The addition of the particle "off" is a colloquial expression that intensifies the verb "finish". It implies taking a final step or making a final act in order to complete or conclude something.