crack of doom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Literary, Formal, Dramatic
Quick answer
What does “crack of doom” mean?
The loud, thunderous sound signalling the Day of Judgment in Christian theology.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The loud, thunderous sound signalling the Day of Judgment in Christian theology.
Any sudden, catastrophic event or sound signalling a final, disastrous end; a metaphorical point of no return.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British texts due to the phrase's Shakespearean origin, but this is marginal.
Connotations
Identical connotations of ultimate finality and cataclysm in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, used almost exclusively in literary, rhetorical, or highly dramatic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “crack of doom” in a Sentence
Await the crack of doom.It sounded like the crack of doom.Until the crack of doom.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crack of doom” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The crumbling tower block will stand till the crack of doom.
- We'll be debating Brexit until the crack of doom, at this rate.
American English
- That old car will probably run until the crack of doom.
- They argued the case as if waiting for the crack of doom.
adjective
British English
- He had a crack-of-doom expression on his face.
- The announcement had a crack-of-doom finality to it.
American English
- She delivered the news in a crack-of-doom tone.
- It was a crack-of-doom scenario for the team.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Hyperbolic metaphor for a market crash or company collapse: 'The quarterly report sounded the crack of doom for the startup.'
Academic
Used in theological, literary, or historical studies discussing eschatology or Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Used hyperbolically for a loud noise or bad news: 'The door slammed with a noise like the crack of doom.'
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crack of doom”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crack of doom”
- Using it to mean a small problem ('a crack in the plan').
- Confusing it with 'crack of dawn'.
- Using it in non-apocalyptic contexts without clear hyperbolic intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originates from William Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth' (Act 4, Scene 1), where the Third Apparition tells Macbeth he shall not be vanquished 'until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him.' Macbeth interprets this as never, saying he will live 'the lease of nature' and not fear death 'till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane,' which he believes will be 'at the crack of doom' – i.e., the end of the world.
No, it is a literary and somewhat archaic phrase. Its use in modern English is rare, typically found in writing aiming for a dramatic, formal, or biblical tone, or as a conscious allusion to Shakespeare.
They are completely different. 'Crack of doom' refers to the apocalyptic end of the world. 'Crack of dawn' is a common idiom meaning the very first light of morning, a time of beginning.
Yes, but only in a hyperbolic or ironic sense. For example, if someone makes a very loud noise by dropping a pan, you might say, 'Good heavens, that sounded like the crack of doom!' This uses the phrase's dramatic weight for comic exaggeration.
The loud, thunderous sound signalling the Day of Judgment in Christian theology.
Crack of doom is usually literary, formal, dramatic in register.
Crack of doom: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkræk əv ˈduːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkræk əv ˈdum/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[wait] till the crack of doom”
- “sound like the crack of doom”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a giant crack appearing in the sky on DOOMSday, accompanied by a thunderous sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE END IS A SUDDEN, LOUD SOUND.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'crack of doom' be LEAST appropriate?