a thousand cuts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thousand cuts" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation where someone is being harmed or affected by many small, cumulative actions or events over time. Example: "The company's decline was not due to a single event, but rather a thousand cuts from poor management decisions and market changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Death by a thousand cuts".

The New Yorker

"It will take a thousand cuts".

The New York Times - Health

He kills offenses with a thousand cuts.

The New York Times

IT IS death by a thousand cuts.

The Economist

He kills offenses by a thousand cuts.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's death by a thousand cuts".

The New York Times

"It's like death by a thousand cuts.

The New York Times - Science

IT FELT like death by a thousand cuts.

The Economist

The church is dying from a thousand cuts.

The New York Times

In combination, they represent death by a thousand cuts.

The Economist

Their strategy is clear: death by a thousand cuts".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a thousand cuts" to illustrate a situation where a series of small, seemingly insignificant actions or events collectively lead to a significant negative outcome. This is particularly effective when highlighting the cumulative impact of numerous minor issues.

Common error

Avoid using "a thousand cuts" to describe a single, major event. The phrase specifically denotes a multitude of minor issues compounding over time, not one large problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thousand cuts" functions as a figure of speech, specifically a metaphor, to describe a situation where a cumulative series of small, often unnoticed, negative impacts leads to a significant and often devastating outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a thousand cuts" is a commonly used and grammatically correct idiom to describe a situation where a series of small, seemingly insignificant actions or events lead to a significant negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts, primarily in news, academia, and formal business settings. While "death by a thousand cuts" is a more emphatic variant, alternatives like "gradual decline" and "incremental setbacks" can provide nuanced meaning. Use this phrase to highlight the cumulative impact of minor issues and avoid misinterpreting its scale by applying it to singular, major events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

death by a thousand cuts

Includes "death", emphasizing the fatal outcome of the gradual process.

gradual decline

Focuses on the slow and steady decrease in quality or condition.

incremental setbacks

Highlights the series of minor obstacles contributing to an overall negative trend.

piecemeal erosion

Suggests a gradual wearing away or disintegration.

successive blows

Implies a series of damaging events, one after another.

creeping deterioration

Emphasizes the slow and almost unnoticeable worsening of a situation.

accumulative losses

Points to the gathering of small losses leading to a larger impact.

nibbling away

Depicts a process of slowly consuming or diminishing something.

constant attrition

Focuses on the continuous wearing down over time.

slow disintegration

Highlights the gradual falling apart or decay of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a thousand cuts" in a sentence?

Use "a thousand cuts" to describe a situation where numerous small problems accumulate to cause a significant negative impact. For example, "The project failed not because of one major issue, but due to "a thousand cuts" from missed deadlines and budget overruns".

What does "death by a thousand cuts" mean?

"Death by a thousand cuts" is an idiom that refers to a slow and agonizing decline or defeat resulting from many minor setbacks or difficulties.

Which is a more impactful phrase, "a thousand cuts" or "one fatal blow"?

It depends on the context. "A thousand cuts" emphasizes the cumulative effect of many small issues, while "one fatal blow" highlights a single, decisive event. Consider which better represents the situation you're describing.

What are some alternatives to "a thousand cuts"?

You can use alternatives like "gradual decline", "incremental setbacks", or "piecemeal erosion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.