swan song

American  

noun

1. the last act or manifestation of someone or something; farewell appearance.

   This building turned out to be the swan song of Victorian architecture.

---

swan song British  

noun

1. the last act, appearance, publication, or utterance of a person before retirement or death

2. the song that a dying swan is said to sing

---

swan song Idioms  

1. A final accomplishment or performance, one's last work. For example, I'm resigning tomorrow; this project was my swan song. This term alludes to the old belief that swans normally are mute but burst into beautiful song moments before they die. Although the idea is much older, the term was first recorded in English only in 1890.

---

Etymology

Origin of swan song

First recorded in 1825–35; so called from the belief that the dying swan sings

Example Sentences

Buffett’s epic posthumous hat tip to Munger is a poignant act from an extraordinary man, one that will forever be remembered as the swan song of a legend.

From Barron's

But Kershaw and the rest of the Dodgers appreciated the significance of what could be a brilliant swan song to a magnificent career.

From Los Angeles Times

But is this run of SoFi dates a swan song to one of the most successful recording projects of our time?

From Los Angeles Times

In one of his film’s most moving segments, Martha and Ingrid spend an evening watching “The Dead,” celebrated director John Huston’s swan song, based on James Joyce’s haunting story about the impermanence of everything.

From Los Angeles Times

Fans are wondering whether it will be a swan song for Michaels, who turns 80 later this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• farewell