nuclear option

noun

1. the use of or power to use nuclear weapons
2. the use of or power to use a measure considered to be particularly drastic

   the nuclear option of a confidence vote

Example Sentences

Page redirects are the nuclear option of digital protests, as they sacrifice major traffic to make a political statement.

From The Daily Beast

The “nuclear option” was a drastic step—though, arguably, it returns the Senate to its pre–2009 status quo—but it was fair game.

From The Daily Beast

Republicans will spin the nuclear option as a power grab, but they started this fight.

From The Daily Beast

After a year of provocation, Harry Reid has finally pulled the trigger on the nuclear option.

From The Daily Beast

A year's worth of Republican obstruction have pushed Harry Reid to consider the "nuclear option" and end the judicial filibuster.

From The Daily Beast