English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Nail in the coffin
Meaning
The idiom "nail in the coffin" is used to describe a final action or event that puts an end to something, typically a situation, relationship, or plan. It often implies that this action or event was waiting to happen and it has now been confirmed or cemented. The phrase comes from the literal act of nailing down a wooden coffin shut, signifying the end of life for the deceased.
Usage
- After the failed negotiations, the company decided to lay off employees, which was the final nail in the coffin for their business.
- When her husband cheated on her again, she knew it was time to end the relationship and finally put the nail in the coffin.
- The new policy was the final straw for many employees who had been working hard without seeing any recognition or growth, leading them to quit and leaving the company with a gaping hole that could never be filled.
- The death of their father marked the end of an era for the family, as it was the final nail in the coffin for their close-knit relationship.
- After years of trying to save their marriage, the couple finally admitted defeat and decided to divorce, which was the final nail in the coffin for their love story.
Roots and History
The phrase "nail in the coffin" dates back to the 17th century when a body was prepared for burial by being placed in a wooden coffin. The lid of the coffin was then nailed shut, with the nails hammered in so tightly that they could not be removed. This act symbolized the end of life and the finality of death. Over time, the phrase came to be used metaphorically to describe any action or event that put an end to something, as if it were being nailed shut.
Synonyms in English
- Final blow
- Endgame
- Watertight
- Sealed deal
- Settled matter
Synonyms in other languages
- German: „Endzeit" (end time)
- French: „Mort en coulisses" (death in the wings)
- Spanish: „Último acento" (last note)
- Italian: „Gioco fatale" (fatal game)
- Chinese: "final chapter"