coup de grâce

American  

[koo d^uh grahs] / ku də ˈgrɑs /

noun

French.

coups de grâce plural

1. a death blow, especially one delivered mercifully to end suffering.

2. any finishing or decisive stroke.

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coup de grâce British  

/ ku də ɡrɑs /

noun

1. a mortal or finishing blow, esp one delivered as an act of mercy to a sufferer

2. a final or decisive stroke

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coup de grâce Cultural  

1. 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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Usage

What does coup de grâce mean? A coup de grâce is the final, decisive blow or strike—the deathblow or the knockout punch. It especially refers to one that’s considered merciful for putting someone out of their misery. Coup de grâce comes from French and literally means “stroke of mercy,” in which stroke refers to a physical blow, especially from a weapon. It can be used literally (and was formerly used in reference to executions). But it’s more often used figuratively to refer to an action that decisively brings something to an end, such as in sports when a team or player gets far enough ahead in scoring that the opponent can’t possibly come back to win. Coup de grâce is pronounced [ kooduh grahs ]. The proper plural form is coups de grâce. Example: That touchdown is certainly the coup de grâce that will knock the defending champions out of these playoffs.

Etymology

Origin of coup de grâce

Literally, “blow of mercy”

Example Sentences

After gradually eliminating his cut-swing problems over the last few weeks, Sunday’s four-hit performance felt like Freeman’s coup de grâce.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2025

The Toranaga of decades past wasn’t fit to deliver the coup de grâce to the rebel lord, and the Toranaga of today refuses to do the same to his country.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024

Having marched down the field inexorably, the final coup de grâce, if not inevitable, is less surprising than an EPL goal.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2023

Then, in a coup de grâce, they crush competitors with falling nuts and fronds.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 27, 2020

Soon the LEP would have no option but to launch their bio-bomb, and that was when Artemis Fowl would unveil his coup de grâce.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer