finish school

[ˈfɪnɪʃ skuːl]
verb phrase
terminar a escola
1. To complete one's education at a school, typically by graduating or reaching the end of the academic year
She will finish school next June and then go to university.
Ela vai terminar a escola em junho e depois ir para a universidade.
2. To complete a particular level of schooling (elementary, middle, or high school)
He finished school at age 16 and started working.
Ele terminou a escola aos 16 anos e começou a trabalhar.
3. In British English, to attend a finishing school (a school focused on etiquette and social skills)
She went to finish school in Switzerland before her debut.
Ela foi para uma escola de boas maneiras na Suíça antes de sua estreia.
In Brazil, 'terminar a escola' typically refers to completing ensino médio (high school), which is the final compulsory level. The concept of 'finishing school' as a formal institution for social etiquette is primarily British and less common in Brazilian culture. In the USA, 'finish school' is a common milestone discussed in terms of educational progression and future opportunities.
NYC Slang
finish high school
Synonyms / Sinônimos
graduate from schoolcomplete schoolgraduateleave schooldrop out of school
Antonyms / Antônimos
start schoolbegin schoolenroll in schooldrop out

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
terminar a escola
Most common expression in Brazil
General Brazilian
sair da escola
Alternative used to mean leaving school/graduating
Portugal
terminar a escola
Same as Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
acabar a escola
Alternative Portuguese expression

Related Words

graduateeducationdiplomaschoolingacademic yearhigh school

Related Idioms & Phrases

finish school with flying colors
finish school early
finally finish school
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →