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"Acabar con" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to finish off", and "poner fin a" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "put an end to". Learn more about the difference between "acabar con" and "poner fin a" below.
acabar con(
ah
-
kah
-
bahr
kohn
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to use up)
a. to finish off
Los niños acabaron con la torta de cumpleaños.The kids finished off the birthday cake.
a. to break up
Su novio acabó con ella por sus mentiras.Her boyfriend broke up with her because of her lies.
b. to put an end to
La policía intervino a tiempo para acabar con el peligro.The police intervened in time to put an end to the danger.
poner fin a(
poh
-
nehr
feen
ah
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (general)
a. put an end to
Cuando se volvió claro que el boxeador no podía seguir, el árbitro puso fin a la pelea.When it became clear that the boxer could not go on, the referee put an end to the fight.
b. put a stop to
Bueno, claramente no vamos a coincidir en esto, así que creo que es hora de ponerle fin a esta discusión e ir a buscar algo de comer.Well, we're clearly not going to agree on this, so I think it's time to put a stop to this argument and go find something to eat.
