sticky end

American  

noun

Genetics, Biotechnology.

1. a single-stranded end of DNA or RNA having a nucleotide base sequence complementary to that of another strand, enabling the two strands to be connected by base pairing: produced in the laboratory with the use of restriction enzymes for genetic engineering purposes.

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sticky end British  

noun

1. informal an unpleasant finish or death (esp in the phrase come to or meet a sticky end )

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Etymology

Origin of sticky end

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

But the vehicle nearly met a sticky end.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2023

I am also concerned that a very large dog with very bad to no training is going to come to a sticky end, through no fault of his own.

From Slate • Jul. 6, 2020

The Licensed to Ill era came to a sticky end in 1987, with all three of the Beasties unhappy and barely speaking to one another.

From The Guardian • Oct. 21, 2018

She will next be seen on the silver screen playing a “very nice English nanny” who meets a sticky end in 2018’s “Jurassic World.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2018

The poor astronaut who falls into a black hole will still come to a sticky end; only if he lived in imaginary time would he encounter no singularities.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking