snuff out

Idioms  

1. Extinguish, put a sudden end to, as in Three young lives were snuffed out in that automobile accident . This usage alludes to snuff in the sense of “put out a candle by pinching the wick,” an area itself called snuff from the late 1300s on. [Mid-1800s]

2. Kill, murder, as in If he told the police, the gang would snuff him out . [ Slang ; first half of 1900s]

3. Also, snuff it . Die or be killed, as in He looked very ill indeed, as though he might snuff out any day , or Grandpa just snuffed it . [ Slang ; second half of 1800s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snuff out

German investor morale slid to its lowest level in over three years in April, a survey showed Tuesday, as the Middle East war threatens to snuff out a tentative recovery in Europe's top economy.

From Barron's ● Apr. 21, 2026

The Netherlands forward was impressive and scored the winner from the spot after David Hancko's header made it 2-2 in the 75th minute to snuff out any lingering hopes of an unlikely comeback.

From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026

His strictly regulated factory model brooks no challenges from his workers, and he employs an enormous security force to snuff out the merest whisper of pro-union sentiment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026

Duffy, as well as her co-traitor Stephen, managed to snuff out the competition in Friday night's final to take home half of the show's £95,750 prize pot.

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2026

Then she thought about the other lines of the prophecy: The twins snuff out the angel’s breath, who holds the keys to endless death.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan