coffin (redirected from coffins)

another nail in the coffin

an event which causes the failure of something that had already started to fail. I think that argument was the final nail in the coffin of our friendship. (usually + of)

See also: another, nail

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(a) nail in the coffin of something

an action that will cause something to end. This report on the effects of smoking is another nail in the coffin of the tobacco industry. We thought the firings would put the final nail in the union's coffin, but in fact, the union has grown in size and importance.

See also: nail