death blow
Fatal final hit
A death blow is a strike or action that kills, or one that destroys something completely.
The term applies both literally—a fatal wound delivered in combat—and figuratively to any decisive action that ends something: The scandal was the death blow to his political career.
A death blow is final; it doesn't merely weaken but finishes off whatever it targets.
Incapacitating final blow
- coup de grâceMerciful finishing blow
- final strokeConcluding decisive action
- last strawUltimate triggering incident
- clincherFact that settles matters
Legal status when insolvent
- insolvencyInability to pay debts
- collapseSudden structural failure
- failureLack of success
- shutdownCessation of operations
liquidation · closure · demise · downfall · ruin · market crash · hostile takeover · obsolescence
Abrupt seizure of power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- downfallSudden loss of power
- collapseSudden structural failure
power shift · toppling · ousting · unseating · deposing · scandal · impeachment · resignation
- final strawLimit-exceeding final burden
- final chapterLast section of book
- curtainsHanging fabric window covers
- endgameConcluding phase of competition
Utter, complete destruction
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- obliterationTotal destruction or erasure
- ruinationState of complete destruction
- demolitionDeliberate structural destruction
decimation · eradication · extermination · elimination · wipeout · crushing defeat · terminal decline
knockout
Incapacitating final blow
- coup de grâceMerciful finishing blow
- final strokeConcluding decisive action
- last strawUltimate triggering incident
clincher · knockout punch · final cut · mortal wound · fatal strike
bankruptcy
Legal status when insolvent
- insolvencyInability to pay debts
- collapseSudden structural failure
- failureLack of success
shutdown · liquidation · closure · demise · downfall · ruin · market crash · hostile takeover · obsolescence · disruption
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- downfallSudden loss of power
collapse · power shift · toppling · ousting · unseating · deposing · scandal · impeachment · resignation · fall from power
nail in the coffin
- final strawLimit-exceeding final burden
- final chapterLast section of book
- curtainsHanging fabric window covers
endgame · swan song · beginning of the end · point of no return
annihilation
Utter, complete destruction
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- obliterationTotal destruction or erasure
- ruinationState of complete destruction
demolition · decimation · eradication · extermination · elimination · wipeout · crushing defeat · terminal decline
- death idiomskick the bucket, six feet under, deadbeat, deadpan, bought the farm
- finishing movesfinisher, finishing move, knockout, knockout punch, kill shot
- signature movesfinishing move, trademark, special attack, special move, signature move
- finishfinish, complete, conclude, end, finalize
- Race/Competition Termssprinter, marathoner, champion, winner, runner-up
- bullfightingmatador, picador, toro, torero, muleta
death blowlifeline
Essential connection to safety
kiss of life · saving grace · reprieve · stay of execution · salvation
death blowcure
Treatment that heals
healing touch · remedy · antidote · restorative · balm