poison pill

American  

[poi-zuhn pil] / ˈpɔɪ zən ˌpɪl /

noun

1. Also called suicide pill.  a pellet or capsule of a quick-acting poison, as cyanide, for a spy to ingest when faced with capture or torture.

2. Financial Slang. any of various business devices created to prevent a company from being taken over by another, as issuing a new class of stock or stock warrants that would become costly to the buyer in the event of a takeover.

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poison pill British  

noun

1. finance a tactic used by a company fearing an unwelcome takeover bid, in which the value of the company is automatically reduced, as by the sale of an issue of shares having an option unfavourable to the bidders, if the bid is successful

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Etymology

Origin of poison pill

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poison pill

That plan, commonly known as a poison pill, is set to expire May 18.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 2026

But scientists may have just discovered the poison pill needed to drive off these unwelcome dinner guests — a gluten-free option found in ancient Egyptian texts.

From Salon ● May 7, 2024

“They said it could be a poison pill put in the data and we really shouldn’t release the China stuff,” he said.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 20, 2023

The acquisition interest from potential suitors, according to Reuters, forced NI to adopt a so-called poison pill.

From Reuters ● Jan. 17, 2023

Mark this: Nature, and Nature alone, effects cures, and it's in very, very few instances that a poison pill can be used to advantage.

From Think A Book for To-day by Hunter, Col. Wm. C.