snuff out

Idioms  

1. Extinguish, put a sudden end to, as in Three young lives were snuffed out in that automobile accident . This usage alludes to snuff in the sense of “put out a candle by pinching the wick,” an area itself called snuff from the late 1300s on. [Mid-1800s]

2. Kill, murder, as in If he told the police, the gang would snuff him out . [ Slang ; first half of 1900s]

3. Also, snuff it . Die or be killed, as in He looked very ill indeed, as though he might snuff out any day , or Grandpa just snuffed it . [ Slang ; second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

She was a candle that had been snuffed out.

From Literature

Along with acknowledging the changes to the report, Moore also said the city failed to adequately ensure that the Jan. 1, 2025 Lachman fire was fully snuffed out.

From Los Angeles Times

Jesus squandered another chance moments later with a hesitant touch that allowed Joachim Andersen to snuff out the danger with a last-ditch tackle.

From Barron's

Chargers quarterback Herbert produced a near flawless performance to set up a convincing win against a Cowboys team whose postseason hopes were snuffed out by Philadelphia's win over Washington on Saturday.

From Barron's

Travis Head – 8 – Any flicker of hope England might have had was snuffed out by a century from South Australia's favourite son in the second innings.

From BBC