the kiss of death

kiss of death

An action, event, or association that causes inevitable ruin or failure. An allusion to Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus Christ, during which Judas kissed Jesus as a way of identifying him to those who would put him to death. The company's connection to the disgraced media mogul will likely prove to be its kiss of death. The president refused to stand by the senator during the crisis—essentially giving him the kiss of death.
See also: death, kiss, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

kiss of death

An action or relationship that is ultimately ruinous. For example, Some regard a royal divorce as a kiss of death to the monarchy. This term alludes to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, who kissed him as a way of identifying him to the soldiers who came to arrest him (Matthew 26: 47-49). It dates only from about 1940 but was previously called a Judas kiss.
See also: death, kiss, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the kiss of death

COMMON If an event or action is the kiss of death for something, it is certain to cause that thing to fail or be ruined. The conventional view of the timber industry is that it is the kiss of death for a rainforest. Living with other painters is the kiss of death. Note: This expression refers to the Bible story of how Judas betrayed Jesus by kissing him. This identified Jesus to the Romans, and led to his arrest and crucifixion.
See also: death, kiss, of
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

kiss of death

an action or event that causes certain failure for an enterprise.
This expression may refer to the kiss of betrayal given by Judas Iscariot to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:48–9).
1998 Spectator I commend the Commission's recent Green Paper and its efforts to introduce an enlightened, evolutionary discussion—although I hope my saying so will not be the kiss of death.
See also: death, kiss, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the kiss of ˈdeath

(informal, often humorous) an action or event that seems good, but is certain to make something else fail: When the chairman said he had every confidence in me, I knew it was the kiss of death. A week later I was looking for another job.
See also: death, kiss, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

kiss of death

n. the direct cause of the end of someone or something. Your attitude was the kiss of death for your employment here.
See also: death, kiss, of
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • kiss of death
  • kiss of death, a/the
  • Judas
  • Judas kiss
  • a Judas kiss
  • the mark of Cain
  • strike out at (something or some place)
  • be moonstruck
  • end run
  • an end run
References in periodicals archive
The authors also show that austerity is not necessarily the kiss of death for political careers as is often believed, and provide new insights into the recent cases of European austerity after the financial crisis.
What We Are Reading Today: Austerity
One person tweeted: "Happy now you have got brendan fired....you have given the show the kiss of death...
Shirley set to return for the next series
Was Derain's encounter with the legacy of Cezanne the kiss of death that subsequent criticism has made it out to be?
"Andre Derain 1904-1914: The Radical Decade"
ITV, regions vary Angling can be the kiss of death for some TV commissioners.
Fishing Impossible
The Kiss of Death sits atop the resting place of textile manufacturer Josep Llaudet Soler, dates back to 1930 and has been attributed to sculptor Jaume Barba.
The Kiss of Death, Barcelona
She said: "That was the kiss of death for a charity dealing with children.
charity chief in fury at collapse
THE appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as President of the European Union will turn out in time to be the kiss of death.
The people will reject Europe
Lore holds that in the past, here and in other area towns, potential recipients have turned the recognition down, fearing acceptance was the kiss of death.
Parade schedule established; East Brookfield Memorial Day plans
Won't see match as overseas but will be given updates." It was the kiss of death.
Memo to Cameron ..please don't wish Andy luck this week; WIMBLEDON 2013; (JUST LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO LAURA!)
"If the data logger hits outside that range, it's the kiss of death for your store of vaccine," he said.
New 2013 regs assure vaccines a cold New Year
Talk about the kiss of death. Why on earth Neville felt the need to antagonise Tevez further is beyond me.
NEVILLE EATS HIS WORDS
EA Giving Licensed Games The Kiss Of Death? The movie was a trilogy, but the game will not be: Electronic Arts revealed at E3 that it will not be making a third game based on Paramount's Godfather film franchise.
EA giving licensed games the kiss of death?
Fisher said that research has shown that the majority of men and women rate their first kiss as either "the kiss of death" or the blossoming of a new relationship.
Why men like wet kisses with more 'tongue action'
HAVING read your article about the gritty job of spreading a mountain of salt, I was dismayed at the realisation that all of our fresh water amphibian life in our ponds, wetlands, ditches, etc will soon be given the kiss of death by councils eager to maintain roads fit for driving.
Letter: Straight to the point
Of course, the realisation was the kiss of death for old Sexby.
Love's never easy for Angelica; McTV Marion McMullen's guide to what's hot on the box