sound the death knell

To cause or signal the impending end or ruin of something, especially a business, organization, or activity. (Refers to the sound of a bell ringing—the knell—from a church to indicate that someone has died.) The expansion of the Internet and digital media has sounded the death knell for countless print-based businesses around the world.

sound the death knell

COMMON If something sounds the death knell for an activity or organization, it causes the activity or organization to end or fail. The announcement that the mine would close in March with the loss of more than 980 jobs sounded the death knell for the village. Some people fear that the decision to allow women to become priests sounds the death knell of the Church of England. Note: This expression has many variations. For example, you can use other verbs instead of sound, or simply use the death knell to describe something that causes something else to end or fail. The present system of industrialization marked the death knell of traditional art. A new supermarket in the area would be the death knell for many small, independent food shops. Note: A death knell is the ringing of a church bell at a funeral or to announce someone's death.

sound the ˈdeath knell of something

be the reason why something ends, goes out of fashion, or is replaced: The arrival of large supermarkets sounded the death knell of many small local shops.

The death knell is the ringing of a bell to announce a person’s death.

See also: death, knell, of, something, sound

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive

IT would appear that the hysteria gripping the nation over Brexit, blame who you will, a biased BBC awash with pseudo intellectuals, spewing out propaganda, promoting project fear, the ghasty internet where you can spread mayhem with impunity, the majority of MPs, sounding like prophets of doom, voting away our bargaining chips, and a Speaker who's hardly impartial, all conspiring to sound the death knell of democracy, thwarting the will of the people.

Make Leadsom PM to steady the ship; LETTERS

India fears that the Taliban influence could subsequently spread to neighboring Pakistan and Kashmir- and their anticipated rise could 'sound the death knell for the Indian influence in Kashmir.' For now, by putting the blame of Pulwama incident on Pakistan, they would like to achieve more electoral mileage and regional strength- for an engineered attack- which time may reveal otherwise.

RSS electoral mileage and regional peace

FORMER world snooker champion Shaun Murphy fears the Stuart Broad incident may sound the death knell for sportsmanship.

Murphy's bitter

TRADERS say the decision to move Birmingham's wholesale markets could sound the death knell for stall holders on the nearby retail markets.

Traders fear for retail markets; SUPPORT OUR MARKETS

And inspections tomorrow at Leicester (9am) and Wetherby (11am) seem certain to sound the death knell for Tuesday's meetings.

.. and things look bleak for next week too!

But, if new research is anything to go by, such indiscretions need not sound the death knell for relationships.

Why I'm cheating g on the lo oove of my life fe; Two unfaithful Scots, who think k it's OK to have an affair, fess up

To tax it yet more, and so further raise the price, will certainly sound the death knell for many more of our pubs which are already struggling for survival.

Don't call time on more pubs

The veteran MP claims the proposal for a site in Southgate could sound the death knell for the town centre.

'Costly mistake for town'

London, Mar.25 (ANI): The increasing popularity of the slam bang T20 cricket could 'sound the death knell for Test cricket', Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) chief Keith Bradshaw has warned.

T20 could sound death knell for Test cricket: MCC boss

TAKEAWAY food shops could sound the death knell of a shopping area at the heart of a Teesside community, a local councillor has warned.

Shop rejected to save area

The service is already stretched and submitting it to credit crunch market forces under private ownership will sound the death knell.

The last post; SAYS

It is a move which could well sound the death knell for Gulf Air.

MPs - don't make our lives even harder!

In my opinion the loss of the club would sound the death knell for many pubs and food outlets in the Walton area.

Short points: Peter Kilfoyle's charity walk in Nicaragua

He said: "The feelings of Rhyl Football Club are that if the 'Big Three' are admitted back into the Welsh Cup it could sound the death knell of the Welsh Premier.

Football: 'Big Three' Cup plan will destroy us says Mortimer; premier NEWS

Sneezing, sniffing and coughing without covering your mouth could sound the death knell for your relationship as many women would dump their partner for their cold suffering.

Catch a cold if you want to lose a wife!