unfinished business
Tasks still remaining
Unfinished business is something left incomplete that demands attention or resolution.
The phrase often carries emotional weight—matters left unsettled between people, grievances never addressed, conversations never had: He returned to his hometown with unfinished business.
In supernatural contexts, ghosts are said to linger because of unfinished business binding them to the living world.
Exceptionally good or unpaid
- undoneNot fastened or completed
- uncompletedNot brought to conclusion
- unresolvedLacking final determination
- backlogAccumulated unfinished work
pending · deferred · postponed · unattended · neglected · unaccomplished · unrealized · unexecuted
State of uncertain waiting
- unsettledNot yet resolved
- unresolvedLacking final determination
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
unclear · pending · undecided · questionable · tentative · indeterminate · hanging · open-ended
Sense of emotional resolution
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
regret · resentment · grudge · grievance · estrangement · healing · reckoning · confrontation
Previous romantic partner
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
estrangement · betrayal · debt · obligation · promise · commitment · loyalty · trust
Apparition of the dead
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
- hauntingDisturbingly unforgettable
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- restlessUnable to be still
afterlife · departed · visitation · specter · limbo · purgatory · séance · medium
Planned, effortful task
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- deliverableRequired project result
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
deal · paperwork · assignment · task · handover · transition · succession · portfolio
outstanding
Exceptionally good or unpaid
- undoneNot fastened or completed
- uncompletedNot brought to conclusion
- unresolvedLacking final determination
backlog · pending · deferred · postponed · unattended · neglected · unaccomplished · unrealized · unexecuted · unfulfilled
limbo
State of uncertain waiting
- unsettledNot yet resolved
- unresolvedLacking final determination
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
ambiguous · unclear · pending · undecided · questionable · tentative · indeterminate · hanging · open-ended · inconclusive
closure
Sense of emotional resolution
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
apology · regret · resentment · grudge · grievance · estrangement · healing · reckoning · confrontation · atonement
ex
Previous romantic partner
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
quarrel · estrangement · betrayal · debt · obligation · promise · commitment · loyalty · trust · confrontation
ghost
Apparition of the dead
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
- hauntingDisturbingly unforgettable
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
restless · afterlife · departed · visitation · specter · limbo · purgatory · séance · medium · paranormal
project
Planned, effortful task
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- deliverableRequired project result
- contractEnforceable written agreement
negotiation · deal · paperwork · assignment · task · handover · transition · succession · portfolio · agenda
- loose ends
- unfinished obligationsoverdue payment, missed deadline
- unfinished businessloose ends, backlog, to-do list, rough drafts
- regretswhat if, hindsight, second thoughts, wrong choice, squandered
- GestaltGestalt, Gestalt therapy, figure-ground, closure, proximity
- action clichesexplosion, car chase, one-liner, slow motion, shootout
unfinished businessclosure
Sense of emotional resolution
resolution · peace of mind · reconciliation · clean break · final goodbye