A nail in somebody’s/something’s coffin
phrase
An event or action causing a slow and gradual failure, destruction, or ruin.
Each scandal was another nail in the president's coffin, eventually leading to his resignation.
Often appears as...
- be another nail in somebody’s coffin
- put a nail in somebody’s coffin
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
An event or action causing a slow and gradual failure, destruction, or ruin.
Each scandal was another nail in the president's coffin, eventually leading to his resignation.
Often appears as...
- be another nail in somebody’s coffin
- put a nail in somebody’s coffin
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Meaning
It's used to represent gradual harm, not actual nails or coffins.
Skipping classes was another nail in his academic coffin.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Context
The phrase usually describes negative developments leading to failure.
The new tax laws became a nail in the coffin for the struggling small business.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Understand it's an idiom; don't take the words 'nail' or 'coffin' literally.
Mismanagement was a nail in the coffin of the project.
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