kiss of death

American  

noun

1. a fatal or destructive relationship or action.

   The support of the outlawed group was the kiss of death to the candidate.

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kiss of death British  

noun

1. an act or relationship that has fatal or disastrous consequences

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kiss of death Idioms  

1. An action or relationship that is ultimately ruinous. For example, Some regard a royal divorce as a kiss of death to the monarchy. This term alludes to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, who kissed him as a way of identifying him to the soldiers who came to arrest him (Matthew 26: 47–49). It dates only from about 1940 but was previously called a Judas kiss.

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Etymology

Origin of kiss of death

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Paying above-average multiples on above-trend earnings is the kiss of death for investors in cyclical businesses.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

But in the 50-page strategy document, the word “challenges” is mentioned quite a bit, and I worry that this particular reference could be the kiss of death:

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

That was the kiss of death for Musk’s D.C. welcome.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 2025

That was her "kiss of death" to President Macron.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2023

That big crazy man was really the kiss of death.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole