The last in a series of events or actions that ensures the complete failure or end of something.
This morbid metaphor dates to the 19th century, drawing from the literal practice of sealing coffins with nails. The phrase evolved to describe any action that definitively ends or destroys something, emphasizing finality and irreversibility through its connection to death and burial.
The phrase's power comes from its finality - unlike other 'ending' expressions, this one suggests not just conclusion but burial and permanence. It's become particularly popular in sports commentary and business journalism because it dramatically captures the moment when defeat becomes inevitable.
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