polish off

verb

1. to finish or process completely
2. to dispose of or kill; eliminate

Idioms and Phrases

Finish or dispose of, especially quickly and easily. For example, We polished off the pie in no time , or If everyone helps, we can polish off this job today . This usage, dating from the early 1800s, came from boxing, where it originally meant “to defeat an opponent quickly and easily.” By the 1830s it was used more generally.

Example Sentences

A disproportionate number not only did not even passively resist but showed themselves eager to lick the polish off Hitler’s jackboots, if necessary.

From Salon

Unmoved by protesters or warnings that rapid growth was coming, the school district polished off the last of the contentious school closings in the summer of 2009.

From Seattle Times

The things to watch are whether the government offers anything in the way of concessions to try to make sure the bill is polished off today.

From BBC

They polished off the first half with six consecutive points to take a 14-point lead at the break.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet no other Republican presidential candidate in history has won the first two contests on the primary calendar, as Trump polished off Tuesday night, and failed to clinch his party’s nomination.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• finish off
• put away