mark of death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mark of death" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something signifies or indicates impending doom or failure. Example: "The sudden drop in sales was seen as a mark of death for the once-thriving business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He sprayed another tree trunk with the mark of death.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile Batman's habit of branding villains with the "mark of death" earns him a reputation as unaccountable judge, jury and executioner.

The Guardian - Film

Like a mark of death, engineered proteins called monoclonal antibodies are supposed to stick to cancer cells and flag down immune fighters to destroy a tumor.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Did it mark the day of death of someone else famous or infamous?

Los Angeles Times

On 16 March, local police informed them that a body bearing marks of violent death had been found outside the town of Belogorsk.

The Guardian

It's a big horizontal picture with a black hourglass marking the approach of death.

The Guardian - Arts

She never comes round; a weary surgical nurse marks the time of death as 3am.

The Economist

Hopelessness, they decided, would be marked by mentions of death and negative emotions.

Science Magazine

Bundled into a vehicle with the registration 'UVS' (the sinister mark of Amin's death squads), Obe was never seen again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was also an act of grieving to mark the death of his daughter Miranda.

The Guardian - Books

It is used for experiments ranging from attempts to generate nuclear fusion, to recreations of supernovae that mark the death of stars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mark of death" when you want to add a dramatic or symbolic weight to a sign of impending failure or doom. Consider the connotations carefully, as it implies a sense of inevitability and finality.

Common error

Avoid using "mark of death" in situations that are merely inconvenient or undesirable. The phrase carries significant weight and is best reserved for situations with grave consequences or symbolic importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mark of death" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object. It signifies a symbol or indication of impending demise or failure. Ludwig AI provides examples that show the phrase being used to describe literal signs of death as well as metaphorical indicators of decline.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science & Research

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mark of death" is a noun phrase that signifies an indication of impending doom or failure. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase, even though its frequency is rare. It's primarily used in News & Media and Science & Research contexts and carries a neutral to formal register. The phrase aims to emphasize the certainty of a negative outcome. When using "mark of death", be mindful of its dramatic connotations and avoid overusing it in trivial situations. Alternatives include "sign of demise" or "omen of doom", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sign of demise

Focuses on the ending or cessation of something.

omen of doom

Emphasizes an impending catastrophic event.

harbinger of destruction

Highlights the role of the sign as a predictor of ruin.

presage of mortality

Specifically relates to a forecast of death or ending.

writing on the wall

An idiomatic expression indicating an unavoidable negative outcome.

death knell

Signifies the end or failure of something.

sign of the end

Emphasizes the terminal nature of the situation.

portent of disaster

Highlights the disastrous nature of the coming event.

evidence of decline

Focuses on the decaying state or deteriorating condition.

indication of ruin

Emphasizes the state of being destroyed or decayed.

FAQs

How can I use "mark of death" in a sentence?

You can use "mark of death" to describe something that signals the end of a project, relationship, or even an era. For example: "The company's declining profits were a "sign of demise".".

What's a good alternative to "mark of death"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "sign of demise", "omen of doom", or "harbinger of destruction". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "mark of death" an idiom?

"Mark of death" is not a widely recognized idiom, but it functions idiomatically when used to describe a sign that strongly suggests an impending negative outcome.

What's the difference between "mark of death" and "omen of death"?

While similar, "mark of death" often implies a more direct or visible sign, whereas "omen of death" suggests a more mysterious or symbolic foretelling. Both indicate impending doom.