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coup de grâce
[ koo duh grahs ]
noun
- a death blow, especially one delivered mercifully to end suffering.
- any finishing or decisive stroke.
coup de grâce
/ ku də ɡrɑs /
noun
- a mortal or finishing blow, esp one delivered as an act of mercy to a sufferer
- a final or decisive stroke
coup de grâce
- 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.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of coup de grâce1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of coup de grâce1
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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."
Refreshed by this coup de grace on the woman he had never forgiven, he hurried chastened and cheerful to Sheila.
We may have to administer the "coup-de-grace" with our hand-bayonets.
How was I going to secure my victim before giving the coup de grace?
They had remained standing motionless in a very nonchalant way, waiting for the signal of the coup de grace.
But before a jury was empanelled the November ballot gave the Prosecution its "coup de grace."
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