snuff out

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

It’s hard to snuff out misinformation when the nation’s health services administration specializes in it.

From Los Angeles Times

But substitute Taukei'aho snuffed out those hopes with two tries in the final 12 minutes to seal an All Blacks victory.

From BBC

Any hope of shutting out the hosts was soon snuffed out as replacement George Horne threw a blind pass on his own five-metre while being bundled into touch.

From BBC

Reijnders' athleticism and reading of the game was evident, showing his ability to get around the pitch to snuff out attacks, while also being able to pick out a pass and drive the side forward.

From BBC

When the goonies discover their hiding place, the Fratellis plot to snuff out this loose end, causing them to literally dig deeper into the house with the criminals hot on their trail.

From Salon