meet an untimely end

1. To die, usually at a young age. That poor little girl met an untimely end because her illness worsened so quickly.

2. To fail, collapse, or cease abruptly. Once he became linked to the scandal, his career in politics met an untimely end. Did your project meet an untimely end once funding was stopped? Ours did.

See also: an, end, meet, untimely

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References in periodicals archive

One Corrie favourite will meet an untimely end in the next few weeks during the devastating factory collapse.

Coronation Street fans convinced they know who dies from behind-the-scenes snaps; A Coronation Street favourite will die in the factory collapse - and viewers think the sneak peak pictures have revealed all

I'm still very bitter about that." And then there are the ones that make it to space but meet an untimely end. Consider the Mars Observer, which launched in 1992 and exploded just a few days before it was supposed to begin orbiting the Red Planet.

The last goodbye

The point is they could meet an untimely end on a country road.

RACHAEL MISSTEAR MATTER OF FACT

When his parents meet an untimely end in a car crash, a veterinary Jacob is forced to abandon his course at Cornell University and he boards the first train that passes, intending to somehow find work.

YOUR FILM GUIDE

Because the "Need for Speed" games don't offer much in the way of narrative, director Scott Waugh ("Act of Valor") and sibling screenwriters George and John Gatins are pretty much starting from scratch here, and serve up a 1950s hot-rod/greaser throwback peopled by Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), a youth stock-car prodigy who now runs a local custom auto shop, and his best bud, Pete (Harrison Gilbertson), who's also called "Little Pete," and whose sensitive, childlike demeanor tells us he's doomed to meet an untimely end. Tobey, by contrast, is built Ford tough, and Paul plays the part with the flinty, tightly wound charisma.

'Speed' gamely stays on course

MANY greyhounds applauded on the track meet an untimely end when their racing days are over.

Racing worry; Your Say

IT IS a sad fact of life that many greyhounds applauded on the track meet an untimely end when their racing days are over.

Sad end for racing greyhounds

"A person from Warren placed the ad, which apparently alludes to the wish that President Obama meet an untimely end by linking him with four assassinated presidents.

Obama-Assassination Classified Ad Sparks React, Apology

He admitted that he did not know the size of his policy windfall should Ant meet an untimely end. He said: "I don't know how much.

ANT & DEATH; Pals insure each other for millions

press the red button if you'd like to see the cast of Holby City meet an untimely end on the set of Heartbeat.

Nothing else to do in January except whinge; UNPLUGGED

But I'm becoming increasingly convinced that the people most likely to meet an untimely end are those who make a habit of vigorously running, climbing, swimming or cycling about the place.

Decent men arebecoming so rare

He eventually tracks Alex down to a warehouse, only to be captured himself -could Ken be about to meet an untimely end?

Culture: TV Choice

But the hapless mutineers were to meet an untimely end.

Holiday: Diving in paradise