Final Nail in the Coffin – Meaning, Origin & Usage

Have you ever heard someone ask ‘Final nail in the coffin?’ when they offer you a cigarette or vape? If so, you are not alone. You may be wondering what the phrase means and how it originated, and if so, you’ve certainly come to the right place…

In this article, we’re going to cover what is meant by ‘final nail in the coffin’, when and where the phrase originates from, and how and when to best use the phrase/ You’ll also be given a list of examples of alternative phrases that you can use in its place if you so wish.

And without further ado, let’s get straight to it.

What is the meaning of the phrase ‘final nail in the coffin’?

The phrase ‘final nail in the coffin’ can have multiple meanings. For instance it can refer to an object or action that will bring about the end or the failure of someone or something. It can also refer to something that can contribute harm or even destroy a person, team, or organisation.

It’s the perfect phrase to convey this meaning because of the very negative impact of the imagery involved. Coffins will always put thoughts of death in mind, and the word ‘final’ is also very apt to convey something good coming to the end, and a point of no return.

What is the origin of the phrase ‘final nail in the coffin’?

The phrase ‘final nail in the coffin’ dates back as far as the mid-1700s, although it has not yet been determined who was the first person to use the phrase.

The origin of the phrase is very literal. It refers to nails being hammered into the lid of a wooden coffin with a dead body inside. Each and every nail has a part to play in ensuring that the lid remains shut and that if the corpse were actually being buried alive, each nail plays a part in trapping the body inside. The final nail is particularly significant because once that nail is secured in place, it would be impossible for the body to ever come out. The coffin would have to decompose first.

Following on from the original, literal meaning of the phrase, the phrase also came to be used in a figurative, metaphorical sense. For example, in the Taunton Courier, published in Somerset, England in 1812, it was written:

“Mr. Elton, who, by exposing the obliquity of his personal feelings and the dereliction of his public duty, has clenched a nail in the coffin of the Political Register.”

How and when to use the phrase ‘final nail in the coffin’?

The phrase ‘final nail in the coffin’ can be appropriate for a wide range of different circumstances, including personal and professional circumstances. The context mentioned in the introduction is just one example.

For instance, if a business competitor has just released an advert where they say that their top quality product is now available for a substantial discount for a limited time, then you might describe this as the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for the business that you work for.

Or, if someone is borderline diabetic has just cheated bigtime on a very strict diet to reverse their condition, this may also be considered a ‘final nail in the coffin’ for them.

What are some other ways of saying ‘final nail in the coffin’?

If you find yourself speaking with someone who may be unfamiliar with English idioms, you may wish to use an alternative phrase in it’s place. Here are some example phrases for you to think about:

• That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
• There’s no going back after this.
• If you do this, you won’t be able to move forward.
• He’s going to leave you if you betray him again.
• You do this, and I am done with you.

Final word

So, to sum up, the phrase ‘final nail in the coffin’ means an object or action that will bring about the end or the failure of someone or something. It can also refer to something that can contribute harm or even destroy a person, team, or organisation.

The phrase is derived from the literal sense of their being no return for someone who has had the final nail hammered into their coffin. Even if they were alive, there is no way they would ever be able to come back.

The meaning of the phrase expanded overtime, so that it can also be used in a figurative and metaphorical sense.

You can use the phrase in a wide range of different circumstances, including personal and professional circumstances. But if you feel the phrase sounds too dark or dramatic, you can always use an alternative phrase in its place, as mentioned earlier.