death knell

American  

noun

1. a harbinger of the end, death, or destruction of something.

2. passing bell.

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death knell British  

noun

1. something that heralds death or destruction

2. a bell rung to announce a death

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death knell Idioms  

1. Something that indicates impending failure, as in His low scores sounded the death knell for his ambitions. The noun knell, used for the ringing of a bell since at least a.d. 1000, is rarely heard today except in this figurative phrase.

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Example Sentences

Now, many are wondering: Is the death knell finally tolling for the Cuban Revolution?

From Los Angeles Times

Future Americans will probably spend even more time on digital devices than they do now, but it will not be the death knell of live entertainment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tan’s comments are far from a death knell for Corning’s optical networking hopes.

From Barron's

Expectations for dividend cuts are typically a death knell for stocks.

From Barron's

It announced, Ms. Newman writes, the “death knell to any remaining attachment to the inherited ideals of the Greek notion of beauty.”

From The Wall Street Journal