Meaning & use
the finishing touches
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
The last small changes or details that make something complete or perfect.
Grammar: Always used with the definite article 'the' and the plural 'touches'.
Patterns
- put the finishing touches to something
- add the finishing touches to something
- the finishing touches on something
The wedding planner put the finishing touches to the table decorations.
He added the finishing touches to his painting just before the exhibition opened.
The chef was putting the finishing touches on the dessert when the guests arrived.
Common combinations
- put the finishing touches to
- She put the finishing touches to her essay before submitting it.
- add the finishing touches to
- They added the finishing touches to the room with fresh flowers.
- the finishing touches on
- The director is still working on the finishing touches on the film.
- apply the finishing touches
- The decorator applied the finishing touches with a small brush.
Synonyms and how they differ
- final details
- A more general phrase for the last small parts of something, not necessarily making it perfect.
- last-minute touches
- Emphasizes that the changes are done very close to the deadline, while 'finishing touches' focuses on completion.
Word family
Commonly confused: the finishing touches or final touches?
the finishing touches vs final touches
Very similar, but 'final touches' can refer to any last changes, while 'finishing touches' often implies making something perfect.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'the finishing touches' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is fixed as 'the finishing touches' (plural with 'the'). Option 1 is wrong because it uses the singular 'touch'. Option 2 is wrong because of the article 'a' with a plural noun. Option 3 is wrong because it omits 'the'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the finishing touches”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.