手を打ち終え

03:23 Jul 1, 2009 

I wouldn't jump to conclusions. The literal translation is "to complete the measures (or actions)" so it seems a bit of a leap to call it "signing the contract." Each industry -- in fact each company -- can have its own jargon, so even though it may very well mean "signing a contract" in one instance, I would not risk my professional reputation on making that assumption in another context. And for anyone "in the loop" or involved in this process, even if you only wrote "complete the measures", they would know what it meant better than you can guess.

02:10 Jul 1, 2009 

Hi Mika-san,
In my understanding, 手を打つ means "take a measure". However, 手を打ち終える has slightly different connotation as it is already done. Also obviously the action of 手を打つ has clear end result by which something was achieved. Therefore nothing is euphemic about it.
In business context, it is very likely the act of signing the contract, or conclude the negotiation and reached desired end of the deal.

01:03 Jul 1, 2009 

手を打つ can mean "to settle," but it is aｎ euphemism, so you may not want to be overly specific in your target rendition. I'm not a J to E translator, so let me ask: Is there a less explicit alternative in English?

三省堂スーパー大辞林
（２）取引・交渉などで，合意する。「この辺で―・とう」
（３）将来を予測して必要な対策を講ずる。「早めに―・っておく」