nail in the coffin
- final blowDecisive finishing strike
- death knellOmen of ending
- last strawUltimate triggering incident
- fatal blowLethal strike, ending life
- finishing touchFinal perfecting detail
doom · sealed fate · end · demise · burial · funeral · hammer · lid · wooden box · grave · burial ground · closure · finality · inevitable · downfall · ruin · destruction · terminal
finality/outcome
nail in the coffinlifeline
Essential connection to safety
saving grace · shot in the arm · breath of fresh air · new lease on life · kiss of life
hope/possibility
nail in the coffinlight at the end of the tunnel
Indication difficulties will end
beacon of hope · new beginning · fresh start · open door · olive branch
hope and possibility
nail in the coffinglimmer of hope
Faint reason for optimism
light at the end of the tunnel · beacon of hope · green shoots · signs of life · breakthrough