in the coffin of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the coffin of something" is not a standard expression in written English and may be confusing to readers.
It could be used metaphorically to suggest that something is dead or no longer viable, but clarity would depend on the surrounding context. Example: "The project was buried in the coffin of outdated technology, unable to compete in the modern market."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Her lyrics hit home like nails in the coffin of something that was precious.

The Guardian - Music

To us, Shearer's departure is the biggest nail yet in the coffin of something we all wanted buried long ago, a corpse whose odour sends us delirious as it seeps like a gas leak through the cracks in the wood.

Vice

To us, Shearer's departure is the biggest nail yet in the coffin of something we all wanted buried long ago, a corpse whose odor makes us delirious as it seeps like a gas leak through the cracks in the wood.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Five months later, the company put the final nail in the coffin of its in-house hardware development team, officially making the transition from smartphone maker to something decidedly more abstract.

TechCrunch

It is another nail in the coffin of the Union.

Independent

It is another nail in the coffin of social housing".

Independent

It's the final nail in the coffin of vacuuming, too (like that coffin needed more nailing).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For years, Westfield London has been spoken of as the nail in the coffin of Oxford Street.

Independent

THE final nail in the coffin of Hillarycare came when Harry and Louise appeared on television.

The Economist

"This is the final nail in the coffin of dictatorship," Mr. Chamisa said.

The New York Times

Hashimoto's remarks are the nails in the coffin of a Third Pole.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For a more subtle effect, use related phrases like the twilight of something

Common error

Avoid using "in the coffin of something" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Its dramatic tone can seem out of place unless the context is appropriately serious or impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "in the coffin of something" is to act as a metaphorical idiom, indicating the end or irreversible decline of whatever 'something' represents. Ludwig examples show it used to describe the demise of abstract concepts like 'the Union' or tangible entities like 'social housing'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the coffin of something" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe the end or irreversible decline of a concept or entity. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is acceptable but recommends careful usage, as its dramatic tone may not suit all contexts. While grammatically sound, its metaphorical nature requires considering the audience and the situation to ensure it effectively communicates the intended message. Alternatives like "the demise of something" or "the end of an era for something" might be more appropriate in certain formal settings. The most frequent contexts for its use are in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the death knell for something

Implies a clear signal of the end of something, often a tradition or practice. It focuses on the announcement or indication of demise rather than the process itself.

the beginning of the end for something

Highlights the initial stage of decline, suggesting that the end is inevitable but not immediate.

the twilight of something

Evokes a sense of fading glory or gradual decline, implying a peaceful or nostalgic end. It emphasizes the beauty of the fading light, rather than the abruptness of death.

the demise of something

Directly refers to the end or failure of something, without specifying a cause or process.

the end of an era for something

Emphasizes the conclusion of a significant period, often with broad cultural or historical implications. It focuses on a transition in time rather than a specific event.

on its last legs

Suggests that something is nearing its end due to age or weakness. The phrase is mostly used for products or companies in an informal settings.

reaching its expiration date

Indicates that something has reached the end of its useful life or validity. It is more commonly used in formal settings, like product or service descriptions.

in terminal decline

Highlights the irreversible nature of the decline, suggesting that there is no possibility of recovery. It emphasizes that the situation is declining, usually used in economy.

consigned to oblivion

Indicates complete and permanent forgetting or disappearance. The phrase is most often used in Literature.

becoming a relic of the past

Suggests that something is outdated and no longer relevant. More related to past artifacts.

FAQs

How can "in the coffin of something" be used in a sentence?

This phrase is used metaphorically to describe the end or demise of something. For example: "The rise of streaming services was another nail "in the coffin of" traditional movie theaters."

What are some alternatives to "in the coffin of something"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the death knell for something", "the demise of something", or "the end of an era for something", which convey a similar sense of finality.

Is it appropriate to use "in the coffin of something" in formal writing?

While grammatically acceptable, this phrase may come across as overly dramatic in some formal contexts. Consider whether a more neutral phrase like "the decline of" or "the end of" would be more suitable.

What does it mean when someone says something is "another nail in the coffin of" something?

This expression means that a particular event or action is contributing to the downfall or end of something else. It implies a cumulative effect, where each "nail" further seals the fate of the thing in question.