coffin

another nail in (one's) coffin

Another negative event that contributes to one's downfall or to something's failure. Aw man, our rival's new product just came out to rave reviews. There's another nail in our coffin. If my parents find out that I failed my exam, it will be another nail in my coffin, and they may never let me go out again!
See also: another, coffin, nail

another nail in the coffin

Another negative event or action that contributes to one's downfall or to something's failure. Aw man, our rival's new product just came out to rave reviews. There's another nail in the coffin. If my parents find out that I failed my exam, it will be another nail in the coffin, and they may never let me go out again!
See also: another, coffin, nail

coffin nail

1. slang A cigarette. Hey, can I bum a coffin nail off of you? You'll probably find Ed outside smoking a coffin nail.
2. slang An alcoholic beverage. Here's another coffee nail for you—you'll be drunk before you know it.
See also: coffin, nail

coffin tack

slang A cigarette. Hey, can I bum a coffin tack off of you?
See also: coffin, tack

coffin varnish

Alcohol, especially that which has been illegally prepared. Don't give me any more of that coffin varnish, or I'll be drunk in no time!
See also: coffin, varnish

coffin-dodger

1. One who is elderly. Primarily heard in the UK. Only coffin-dodgers go grocery shopping at 10 AM on a Tuesday morning.
2. One who smokes. You can probably bum a cig off one of the coffin-dodgers out back.

final nail in the coffin

An event, decision, action, etc., that seals, confirms, or ultimately leads to the failure of a situation or event that has already begun to fail. The candidate's uncouth comments toward the lower class were the final nail in the coffin of an already foundering campaign.
See also: coffin, final, nail

nail in (someone's or something's) coffin

Something that will eventually contribute to someone's or something's downfall or death. That class action lawsuit is going to be the nail in the company's coffin. Every beer you drink is a nail in your coffin.
See also: coffin, nail

nail in the coffin

An event, decision, action, etc., that can or will lead to the failure or cessation of something. The candidate's uncouth comment about the lower class was the final nail in the coffin. That class action lawsuit could be a nail in the coffin of a company that has already seen its fair share of controversy.
See also: coffin, nail

nail in the coffin of (something)

An event, decision, action, etc., that can or will lead to the failure or cessation of something. The candidate's uncouth comment about the lower class was the final nail in the coffin of an already foundering campaign. That class action lawsuit could be a nail in the coffin of a company that has already seen its fair share of controversy.
See also: coffin, nail, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(another) nail in (someone's or something's) coffin

Fig. something that will harm or destroy someone or something. (Alludes to the sealing of a coffin with nails.) Every word of criticism that Bob said about the boss was another nail in his coffin. Losing their biggest customer was the final nail in the company's coffin.
See also: coffin, nail
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

nail in one's coffin

Something that might hasten or contribute to one's death, as in Every cigarette you smoke is another nail in your coffin. This expression, alluding to fastening down a coffin lid, is today almost always used for a harmful habit such as tobacco use (giving rise to the slang term coffin nail for a cigar or cigarette). The idea was first expressed in an ode by Pindar (the pseudonym of John Wolcot) in 1792: "Care to our coffin adds a nail, no doubt."
See also: coffin, nail
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

another nail in the coffin

COMMON If an event is another nail in the coffin of something or someone, it is the latest in a series of events which are seriously harming that thing or person. The vote is another nail in the coffin of the one-party system which the country has now largely rejected. The President took the blame for the crisis and it became another nail in the coffin of his leadership. Note: If you say that an event is the last nail or the final nail in the coffin of something or someone, you mean that it finally destroys something or causes someone to fail. A rent increase could be the final nail in the coffin for a small business like this. The marriage was already in trouble and his affair proved to be the last nail in the coffin.
See also: another, coffin, nail
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a nail in the coffin

an action or event regarded as likely to have a detrimental or destructive effect on a situation, enterprise, or person.
1981 R. Lancaster Plant Hunting in Nepal A major nail in the coffin of the plant hunter, so some people believe, is the growing importance placed on plant conservation in the wild.
See also: coffin, nail
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a nail in somebody’s/something’s ˈcoffin

something, especially one of a series of things, which makes the failure or destruction of something more likely: If we don’t succeed with this campaign, it’ll be the final nail in our coffin. The new tax has driven another nail into the coffin of the British film industry.
See also: coffin, nail
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

coffin nail

1. and coffin tack n. a cigarette. (Coffin nail is very old.) You still smoking them coffin nails? Every coffin tack you smoke takes a little off the end of your life.
2. n. a drink of liquor. How about another coffin nail?
See also: coffin, nail

coffin tack

verb
See coffin nail
See also: coffin, tack

coffin varnish

n. inferior liquor. You want some more of this coffin varnish?
See also: coffin, varnish

coffin-dodger

(ˈkɔfnæ dɑdʒɚ)
n. a heavy smoker. I just hate these damn coffin-dodgers who smoke right outside the door!
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

nail in one's coffin, drive/put a

Perform some destructive (or self-destructive) act. The term first appeared in print in Peter Pindar’s (John Wolcot’s) Ode no. 15 (1789): “Care to our coffin adds a nail.” It was repeated over the years, and in the early twentieth century was taken up by the Anti-Cigarette League, which announced that every cigarette smoked was a nail in one’s coffin, giving rise to the colloquial name coffin nail for a cigarette. “Have you a coffin nail?” wrote O. Henry (The Higher Abdication, 1907).
See also: drive, nail, put
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • another nail in (one's) coffin
  • another nail in the coffin
  • a nail in somebody's/something's coffin
  • replace
  • be replaced by (someone or something)
  • be replaced with (someone or something)
  • disappear without (a) trace
  • trace
  • vanish without (a) trace
  • leave (something) to luck
References in periodicals archive
LifeArt chief exec Simon Rothwell said: "Families don't know that most coffins are not solid wood but are made from chipboard and MDF with a thin veneer glued on top.
Eco-coffin for green send-off
Police went to the scene and carried away the coffin and its contents for analysis.
Witchcraft? Kapseret man wakes up to coffin with dead snake, cat outside house
After becoming licensed as an architect, Coffin opened his first office in the village, and it wasn't long before he became active in what would become the foundation of the community.
A founding father of Long Grove dies at 101
Neighbours The blaze roared 20 metres in the air with flames spotted by neighbours on either side of his house which was caused by a domestic heating fan inside his garden shed where he kept the coffin safe.
Home-made coffin cremated in shed fire
" He was wearing a boda boda reflector jacket and we thought he was inquiring on behalf of a deceased colleague because boda boda organisations always send representatives to buy coffins when colleagues die," Alphonce Odhiambo, a carpenter said.
Shock as Migori man buys own coffin
"As a direct result, Coffin was deprived of the opportunity to modify the Mortgage between December 18, 2010 and June 30, 2013, and he continued to make 'Pick-a- Payment' mortgage payments at the inflated monthly rate of $3,911.92.
Real property - Mortgage - Settlement
Of course, the coffin challenge will not be complete without the event's main attraction - the amusement park will provide coffin-dwellers with 'six, deluxe, 2' x 7,' slightly used coffins.' The contestants will also be provided with meals, as well as one six-minute bathroom breaks every hour.
Fearless? Stay for 30 hours inside a coffin, dares amusement park
'It takes a week and two days to carve and make an elaborate coffin. During the rainy season, we find it difficult to carve a coffin because the wood has to be dry to make it shine after spraying it.
Making money from the dead
The coffin, which was on display in the Edinburgh branch, hasn't been requested by a customer yet but they believe it will happen soon.
Would you coff up for a funeral with a flourish?
The man was one of dozen of male relatives who were carrying the coffin up to a lakkean which is a traditional wooden stilt house where bodies are stored during the funeral ceremony.
Man killed at own mother's funeral after pallbearers drop coffin down flight of stairs; The man died of severe head injuries after the coffin fell during the funeral on Friday
But when researchers removed the lid to the coffin late last year, they discovered the tattered remains of a mummy.
Australia: Mummy found in 'empty' Egyptian coffin
They were the prominent fantasy coffin makers of the 1950s, and Joe continued working with Kwei for 11 years as an apprentice.
Reviving the dying art of FANTASY COFFINS
We let funeral arrangers know the sizes of our cremators so that the full coffin, including handles, can fit inside the hearth.
Behind the scenes at crematorium
It was bought at a car boot sale in Chirk by Second Hand Shed owner Simon Hall, but he has no idea who the coffin was intended for or why the owner was selling it.
A DEAL TO DIE FOR; Second hand coffin could be yours for PS95
Archbishop Percy Coffin, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Canada since 2014 and bishop of the diocese of Western Newfoundland since 2003, is planning to retire following the election of a successor this summer.
Archbishop Percy Coffin announces retirement