Definition

Noun: - An action or event that guarantees failure or ruin: A "kiss of death" is something that appears favorable or harmless but actually causes certain destruction, downfall, or failure for a person, plan, or project. It originates from the biblical story of Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss.

Usage

The term is used to describe a factor that is ultimately fatal to success. It often implies that the ruinous effect is not immediately obvious; the "kiss" suggests a deceptive appearance of affection or benefit. - It is typically used with the definite article "the" (e.g., the kiss of death). - Common structures: "be the kiss of death for/to [something]".

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Conceptual Use: Can be applied abstractly to ideas, trends, or reputations.
  • For a tech brand, that kind of outdated design is the kiss of death.

Variants and Related Words

• Death knell (noun): An event or signal that indicates the imminent end or failure of something. (This is a stronger synonym, focusing on the signal of the end rather than the deceptive cause.)
• Fatal blow (noun): An action that causes definitive defeat or destruction.

Synonyms

• Fatal flaw
• Ruinous influence
• Final nail in the coffin (idiom)

Related Idioms

• A poisoned chalice: Something offered that seems desirable but is likely to cause problems or harm. (This shares the concept of a harmful gift but lacks the specific element of betrayal or deceptive affection present in "kiss of death".)

Noun

1. something that is ruinous
   • if this were known it would be the kiss of death for my political career