deathblow

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deathblow

A veterinarian delivers a deathblow to a suffering animal.

Definition

Noun: 1. A final, decisive, or fatal blow or action: An event, action, or piece of information that causes the definite end, failure, or destruction of something. * Example: The scandal dealt a deathblow to his political career. 2. A blow that causes death: Literally, a strike that kills someone, often implying it ends suffering. * Example: The hunter considered it his duty to deliver a quick deathblow to the mortally wounded animal.

Usage Examples
  • The sudden loss of their major investor was the deathblow that forced the startup to close.
  • The new evidence provided the deathblow to the prosecution's case.
  • In the novel, the hero's final strike was the deathblow to the dragon.
Advanced Usage
  • To deal/strike a deathblow to something: This is the most common collocation, meaning to cause the definitive end of something.
    • Example: The invention of the smartphone dealt a deathblow to the market for standalone digital cameras.
  • To administer a deathblow: A more formal variant, often used in literary or historical contexts.
    • Example: The general administered the final deathblow to the rebellion.
Variants and Related Words
  • Death blow (noun phrase): An alternative, two-word spelling with the same meaning.
  • Coup de grâce (noun): A French term often used synonymously with , especially for a merciful final act or a finishing stroke.
  • Finishing blow/stroke (noun phrase): A less severe synonym, emphasizing the final action rather than necessarily causing complete destruction.
  • Knockout blow (noun phrase): Primarily used in boxing or metaphorically for an action that decisively defeats an opponent.
Synonyms
  • Finisher
  • Killer (informal, as in "killer app" or "killer argument")
  • Final straw (idiom, emphasizes being the last in a series of problems)
  • Coup de grâce
Antonyms
  • Lifeline
  • Reprieve
  • Revival
  • Breath of life
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • The kiss of death: An idiom for an action or association that guarantees failure, similar in metaphorical use to a .
    • Example: His endorsement was the kiss of death for the candidate's campaign.
  • To drive the final nail in the coffin: An idiom meaning to do something that makes failure or death inevitable, closely related to dealing a .
    • Example: The poor sales figures drove the final nail in the coffin for the product line.
deathblow

A veterinarian delivers a deathblow to a suffering animal.

Noun
  1. the blow that kills (usually mercifully)

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