View synonyms for coup de grâce

coup de grâce

[ koo duh grahs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, French.

, plural coups de grâce [koo d, uh, , grahs].

coup de grâce

/ ku də ɡrɑs /

coup de grâce

The final blow: “He had been getting deeper and deeper in debt; the fates delivered the coup de grâce when he died.” The phrase is French for “stroke of mercy.” It originally referred to the merciful stroke that put a fatally wounded person out of his misery or to the shot delivered to the head of a prisoner after he had faced a firing squad.

Literally, “blow of mercy”

literally: blow of mercy

But the manner in which the two technology mavens administered their coup de grâce only two months later has left a bitter taste.

As Guy prepared to deliver the coup de grâce, Herman saw and took a brutal path to victory.

The coup de grâce: he can currently be seen sporting a plethora of fake mustaches in commercials for Gillette.

After months in the doghouse, Mr. Banks is summoned to face what he firmly believes will be the coup de grâce.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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