snuff

a snuff movie

a film that is intended to be sexually exciting which shows a person being murdered. In May '92 he was arrested and charged with importing snuff movies into the country.

up to snuff

if someone or something is up to snuff, they are of an acceptable standard or quality. Their wine-list is very good but I'm afraid the food isn't really up to snuff. (often negative) The police force is replacing its older patrol cars to make sure they all come up to snuff. We have spent a tremendous amount of money bringing the department up to snuff.

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snuff out something

to put an end to something. The bomber triggered his explosion and snuffed out the lives of 167 innocent people in that building. Before he could reach the top in his career, a scandal almost snuffed it out.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of snuff out (= to stop a flame from burning)

up to snuff

at or to an acceptable level of quality. We have a part in designing and manufacturing products and then checking to make sure they're up to snuff. Utah's bridges are in trouble, and it would cost $88 million to bring the worst cases up to snuff.

Usage notes: often used in the negative: Earnings weren't up to snuff in the last quarter.