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Translation

polish off

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Explanation of "Polish Off"

Definition:
The phrase "polish off" can mean a few different things, but it is most commonly used in two ways:

Usage Instructions:
  • When to Use: You can use "polish off" when you're talking about finishing food or completing a task. It is informal language, so it’s best used in casual conversations.
  • Structure: "Polish off" is a phrasal verb, meaning it consists of a verb ("polish") and a particle ("off").
Advanced Usage:
  • In some contexts, "polish off" can also refer to finishing someone off in a more serious sense, like in a crime story (for example, "He was hired to polish off his enemies"). However, this usage is less common and is more serious or dramatic.
Word Variants:
  • Polished Off (Past Tense): You can use "polished off" to talk about something that was completed in the past.
    • Example: "Yesterday, I polished off a whole pizza."
Different Meanings:
  • The primary meanings focus on finishing food and completing tasks, but in slang or more serious contexts, it can imply finishing someone off (as mentioned above).
Synonyms:
  • For Finishing Food:
    • "Finish off," "clean up," "devour," "consume"
  • For Completing a Task:
    • "Complete," "finish," "wrap up," "get through"
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
  • Phrasal Verb: "Finish off" can be used similarly to "polish off." Both mean to complete something, whether it's food or a task.
  • Related Idioms:
    • "Bite the bullet" (to get something done despite difficulties)
    • "Call it a day" (to stop working on something)
Example Sentences:
  1. Food Context: "After a long day, I was so hungry that I polished off a whole sandwich in minutes." 2.
Verb
  1. finish eating all the food on one's plate or on the table
    • She polished off the remaining potatoes
  2. kill intentionally and with premeditation
    • The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered
  3. finish a task completely
    • I finally got through this homework assignment

Synonyms

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