けりをつける

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

usually written using kana alone

Used for putting a decisive end to a matter, dispute, or unfinished business. Often implies resolving something that has been lingering.

長ながかった論ろん争そうにようやくけりを付つけることができた。
We were finally able to settle the long dispute.

この問もん題だいには今日きょう中じゅうにけりを付つけなければならない。

We must bring this issue to an end by the end of today.

Written forms

けりを付つける
Usually written in kana; the kanji spelling ケリを付ける is also used but less common.
ケリを付つける
Katakana spelling sometimes seen in informal writing.
ケリをつける
kana-only spelling

Kanji

付adhere, attach, refer to

Similar words

決けっ着ちゃくをつける
Similar meaning but more formal and often used in serious contexts like legal or business disputes. けりを付ける is more colloquial and everyday.
片かた付づける
Means to tidy up or finish a task; broader and less focused on resolving a conflict or lingering matter.

Etymology

The word けり is derived from the classical auxiliary verb けり, which indicated past tense or recollection. In modern Japanese, けりを付ける idiomatically means to bring something to a conclusion, as if putting a final mark on it.