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Finish vs Detain - What's the difference?

finish | detain |

As verbs the difference between finish and detain

is that finish is (label) to complete (something) while detain is keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.

As a noun finish

is an end: the end of anything.

finish

English

Noun

(es)
  • an end: the end of anything
  • a protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces
  • the result of any process changing the physical or chemical properties of cloth
  • (label) a shot on goal, especially one that ends in a goal
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=September 2 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Bulgaria 0-3 England , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.}}

    Verb

  • (label) to complete (something)
  • (label) to apply a treatment to (a surface or similar)
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=10 , passage=Mr. Cooke had had a sloop?yacht built at Far Harbor, the completion of which had been delayed, and which was but just delivered. […] The Maria had a cabin, which was finished in hard wood and yellow plush, and accommodations for keeping things cold.}}
  • (label) to change an animal's food supply in the months before it is due for slaughter, with the intention of fattening the animal
  • (label) to come to an end
  • Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (the (-ing) form). See

    Derived terms

    * nice guys finish last

    Antonyms

    * (to complete) initiate, begin, start

    detain

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • Keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
  • To put under custody.
  • To keep back or from; to withhold.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • Detain not the wages of the hireling.