Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

kiss-of-death

noun
/ˈkɪs əv dɛθ/
Definition
A gesture or action that brings about a negative consequence or failure, often unexpectedly.
Examples
  • His endorsement was seen as a kiss-of-death for the candidate’s campaign.
  • What started as a harmless trend turned out to be a kiss-of-death for the company’s reputation.
Meaning
The phrase implies that something seemingly innocent or affectionate actually leads to harm or a downfall.
Synonyms
  • bad omen
  • doom
  • ruin