a nail in the coffin
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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
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
- nail in the coffin
- nail in the coffin of (something)
- wild and woolly
- wild and woolly (West), the
- woolly
- (Someone or something) called, they want their (something) back!
- Were you born in a barn?
- strike over
- strike over (something)
- raised by wolves