coup de grâce

[ koo duh grahs ]

noun

, French.

, plural coups de grâce [koo d, uh, , grahs].

1. a death blow, especially one delivered mercifully to end suffering.
2. any finishing or decisive stroke.

coup de grâce

/ ku də ɡrɑs /

noun

1. a mortal or finishing blow, esp one delivered as an act of mercy to a sufferer
2. a final or decisive stroke

coup de grâce

1. The final blow: “He had been getting deeper and deeper in debt; the fates delivered the coup de grâce when he died.” The phrase is French for “stroke of mercy.” It originally referred to the merciful stroke that put a fatally wounded person out of his misery or to the shot delivered to the head of a prisoner after he had faced a firing squad.

Word History and Origins

Origin of coup de grâce¹

Literally, “blow of mercy”

Word History and Origins

Origin of coup de grâce¹

literally: blow of mercy

Example Sentences

Simpson slumped around for a bit, and then, in an awkward coup de grace, proceeded to dance what she later called a "hoe-down."

From The Daily Beast

Refreshed by this coup de grace on the woman he had never forgiven, he hurried chastened and cheerful to Sheila.

From Project Gutenberg

We may have to administer the "coup-de-grace" with our hand-bayonets.

From Project Gutenberg

How was I going to secure my victim before giving the coup de grace?

From Project Gutenberg

They had remained standing motionless in a very nonchalant way, waiting for the signal of the coup de grace.

From Project Gutenberg

But before a jury was empanelled the November ballot gave the Prosecution its "coup de grace."

From Project Gutenberg