Finishing touch

Meaning

The idiom "finishing touch" is used to describe the last thing or action that completes something. It refers to a small detail or final aspect of a project, task, or creation that gives it an extra level of perfection or completeness.

Usage

• The artist added a finishing touch to the painting, which was the final stroke of color that brought everything together.
• She put on her jewelry as the finishing touch to her outfit for the party.
• The chef added a finishing touch of lemon zest to the dish to give it a burst of flavor.
• The musician played the final notes on his guitar, which was the finishing touch to the song.
• The designer added a finishing touch to the website by making sure all the links were working correctly.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "finishing touch" can be traced back to 16th century English literature. In Shakespeare's play "Henry IV, Part 1," Prince Hal says, "Well, a good finishing touch will drown the sorrow of the old sin." This suggests that a finishing touch can bring about a sense of completion or closure to something. Over time, the phrase has come to refer specifically to the last thing done in a project or task.

Synonyms in English

• Final touches
• Last details
• Finishing element
• Ending touch
• Closing note

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "touch final" - The last thing that is done to complete something.
• French: "touche finale" - The last thing that is done to make something complete.
• German: "endliche Touche" - The last thing that is done to finish something.
• Italian: "ultima toccata" - The final touch that completes something.
• Japanese: "最後の転移" - The final adjustment that makes everything perfect.

Similar Idioms

• fair-weather friend

• fate worse than death

• familiarity breeds contempt