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
