PUT AN END TO

v. phr. 1. To make (something) end; stop; end. The farmer built an electric fence around his field to put an end to trespassing. The principal said that running in the halls was dangerous, and told the teachers to put a stop to it. 2. To destroy or kill. The new highway took most of the traffic from the old road and put an end to Mr. Hanson's motel business. When the horse broke his leg, the farmer put an end to him.