coup de grâce

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A final stroke or shot: "coup de grâce" refers to a decisive blow or shot that ends the suffering of a wounded person or animal, bringing about a merciful death.
    • A decisive finishing action: More broadly, it denotes any action or event that conclusively ends a situation, process, or conflict, especially one that is already in a weakened or failing state.
Usage Examples

  • Literal (merciful death):

    • The hunter delivered the coup de grâce to the injured deer with a single bullet. (The final shot ended the animal's suffering.)
    • After the battle, the wounded soldier asked for the coup de grâce to avoid a slow, painful death. (He requested a merciful killing blow.)

  • Figurative (decisive end):

    • The company's bankruptcy was the coup de grâce after years of declining sales. (The bankruptcy was the final event that destroyed the business.)
    • Her devastating argument was the coup de grâce in the debate, leaving no room for rebuttal. (Her argument ended the debate decisively.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to administer/ deliver the coup de grâce": to perform the final, decisive action.

    • The government's new policy administered the coup de grâce to the struggling industry. (The policy was the final blow that caused its collapse.)

  • "the coup de grâce of something": the ultimate ending element.

    • The final scene of the movie was the coup de grâce of the director's artistic vision. (The scene completed and sealed the film's impact.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Coup (n): a sudden, decisive action or a violent seizure of power.

    • The military coup overthrew the government. (A sudden takeover by force.)

  • Grace (n): mercy, kindness, or elegance.

    • She showed grace under pressure. (Calmness and dignity in a difficult situation.)
Synonyms
  • Death blow: a blow that causes death.
  • Finishing stroke: the final action that ends something.
  • Killing stroke: a stroke that kills.
  • Final blow: the last decisive hit.
Related Idioms

  • The final nail in the coffin: an event that causes the final failure of something.

    • The scandal was the final nail in the coffin for his political career. (It ended his career decisively.)

  • The last straw: the final difficulty or annoyance that makes a situation unbearable.

    • Her rude comment was the last straw; he ended their friendship. (It was the decisive cause of the breakup.)
Etymology Note
  • French origin: Literally meaning "stroke of mercy," from (blow, stroke) + (mercy, grace). It entered English in the 18th century, originally used in a military or hunting context.