snuff out

1. 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]

2. 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]

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

Example Sentences

Pelosi and Reid will work to snuff out any legislation that could force Obama to take unpopular stands.

From The Daily Beast

To snuff out a candle accidentally entails the fate of not getting married in the same year.

From Project Gutenberg

The bookseller was moved: he took a huge pinch of snuff out of his waistcoat pocket, and mused a moment.

From Project Gutenberg

I snuff out the candles, on the supposition that this is perhaps a case of phosphorescence; but I never perceive anything.

From Project Gutenberg

As he now appeared in his doorway, towelling his hands, Wemmick got on his great-coat and stood by to snuff out the candles.

From Project Gutenberg

I'd lash the beggar to a tree and leave him to snuff out for hisself.

From Project Gutenberg