finish out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To finish up, to complete, something previously started, particularly a time frame.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
A former Spitfire pilot in the Royal Air Force who had been shot down over Germany and finished out the war in a POW camp.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “finish out” mean?
To finish up, to complete, something previously started, particularly a time frame.
Is “finish out” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.