nuclear option

British  

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

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Example Sentences

The bar is high to activate the tool, deemed by some to be Europe’s “nuclear” option, says Cedric Gemehl, an analyst at Gavekal focused on Europe.

From Barron's

However, this is the nuclear option.

From BBC

Referred to as a "bazooka" or "nuclear" option, the instrument is intended to deter economic coercion against any of the EU's 27 member states.

From Barron's

In theory, other EU countries could override Belgium and ram the initiative through with a weighted majority but that would be a nuclear option that few see as likely for now.

From Barron's

"I never would have expected they would hit the nuclear option of firing so many of us in one go. It does highlight the need for unions."

From BBC