1. Literally, a line serving to mark the end of a race. Despite his injury during the final lap, the runner still managed to limp across the finish line. I hate to tell you this, but we're a good five miles from the finish line. An arch of balloons extended over the finish line at the race.

2. By extension, the end of some process, development, endeavor, etc. We've been working 80-hour weeks to get this project over the finish line before December. I've spent so many hours on this report already, but it still feels like the finish line is miles away. Our deadline is in less than a week, so we've all got to work quickly if we're going to get this project across the finish line.