final whistle
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final whistle
The referee's whistle signal that indicates the end of a game, especially in sports.
Die Heimmannschaft erzielte das Siegtor kurz vor dem Schlusspfiff.
The home team scored the winning goal shortly before the final whistle.
This word is made up of 'Schluss' (end) and 'Pfiff' (whistle sound). So it literally describes the whistle that marks the end. The 's' in the middle is a linking s, which connects the two words.
Alle warteten gespannt auf den Schlusspfiff des Schiedsrichters.
Everyone waited anxiously for the referee's final whistle.
In a sports context, the verb 'ertönen' (to sound/ring out) is often used when the whistle can be heard. Time expressions are also common, for example 'kurz vor dem Schlusspfiff' (shortly before the final whistle) or 'mit dem Schlusspfiff' (with the final whistle).
Mit dem Schlusspfiff stürmten die Fans auf das Spielfeld.
With the final whistle, the fans stormed onto the field.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is not about sports. Instead, the term is used in contexts such as business, politics, or projects to describe a definitive end.
Die Insolvenz war der Schlusspfiff für das traditionsreiche Unternehmen.
The insolvency was the final whistle for the long-established company.
end
'das Ende' and 'der Schlusspfiff' can both express that something is over. 'das Ende' is very general and fits films, conversations, events, or many other situations. 'der Schlusspfiff' originally comes from sports: a referee blows the whistle, and the game is over. Figuratively, it can also be used for a clear, definitive end. If it is not about sports or a figurative, clear signal that something is over, 'das Ende' sounds more natural.
Nach dem Schlusspfiff jubelten die Spieler und liefen zu ihren Fans.
After the final whistle, the players cheered and ran over to their fans.
Am Ende des Films waren viele Zuschauer sehr still.
At the end of the film, many viewers were very quiet.