coup de grâce

coup de grâce

noun \ˌkü-də-ˈgräs\

plural coups de grâce or coups de grace\ˌkü-də-\

Definition of COUP DE GRÂCE

1

: a deathblow or death shot administered to end the suffering of one mortally wounded

2

: a decisive finishing blow, act, or event

Variants of COUP DE GRÂCE

coup de grâce or coup de grace \ˌkü-də-ˈgräs\

Examples of COUP DE GRÂCE

1. The legislature's decision to cut funding has administered the coup de grâce to the governor's proposal.
2. <the prosecutor presented his coupe de grâce—a videotape of the beating>

Origin of COUP DE GRÂCE

French coup de grâce, literally, stroke of mercy

First Known Use: 1699

Related to COUP DE GRÂCE

Synonyms: capper, clincher (or coup de grace), crusher, topper

Related Words: confutation, deathblow, knockout; determinant, factor

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Rhymes with COUP DE GRÂCE

albatross, demitasse, dental floss, extrados, gravitas, intrados, isogloss, omphalos, reredos, semigloss, Thanatos, volte-face