kiss of death
B2Informal, Figurative
Definition
Meaning
An action or event that ensures failure or ruin.
A seemingly friendly or beneficial gesture that in fact causes destruction, failure, or the end of something. Often used when an endorsement or association from a disliked person or group backfires.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A powerful metaphorical idiom implying fatal finality. It carries a dramatic, sometimes ironic or hyperbolic tone, suggesting the outcome is as inevitable as death after the 'kiss'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning is identical. Slight preference for the definite article 'the' in UK usage (e.g., 'the kiss of death'), while US usage is more flexible with articles.
Connotations
Identical strong negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common and well-understood in both UK and US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
prove [to be] the kiss of death for [something]give [something] the kiss of deathbe the kiss of death to [something]spell the kiss of death for [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a poisoned chalice (related, but implies a dangerous gift/role)”
- “the final nail in the coffin (similar outcome, different metaphor)”
- “nail in the coffin”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The CEO's public support proved the kiss of death for the proposed merger, spooking the other company's board.
Academic
In political science, an endorsement from that fringe group is often considered the kiss of death for a mainstream candidate.
Everyday
Mentioning your ex on a first date is the kiss of death for any chance of a second one.
Technical
(Not typically used in highly technical registers; reserved for figurative/social contexts.)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister's comments effectively kissed the policy proposal of death.
- That scandal has kissed his career of death.
American English
- The terrible reviews kissed that Broadway show of death.
- Getting your dad's endorsement can kiss your social life of death.
adverb
British English
- (Not commonly used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not commonly used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- He made a kiss-of-death remark during the interview.
- It was the kiss-of-death moment for the project.
American English
- She had a kiss-of-death effect on every restaurant she recommended.
- That's a real kiss-of-death strategy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too complex for A2; concept not introduced.)
- His poor attendance was the kiss of death for his chances of promotion.
- Bad weather can be the kiss of death for a picnic.
- The celebrity's controversial tweet was the kiss of death for the product launch.
- For a politician, being labelled 'out of touch' is often the kiss of death.
- The board's tepid endorsement served as nothing more than a kiss of death, ensuring the initiative would fail from lack of genuine support.
- In that industry, a partnership with that firm is considered the kiss of death, tainting one's reputation irrevocably.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a mob boss giving a rival a friendly kiss on the cheek. The gesture looks affectionate, but everyone knows it's the signal for that person's imminent demise.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFECTION/APPROVAL IS POISON. A POSITIVE SOCIAL ACTION (a kiss) IS A CAUSE OF A NEGATIVE, FINAL STATE (death).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation "поцелуй смерти"; it is not a standard Russian idiom and would sound strange/literal. Use "смертельный удар", "похоронный звон (чему-либо)", or "конец (чему-либо)".
Common Mistakes
- Using it for a literal kiss (e.g., 'He died after a kiss of death from the vampire').
- Confusing it with 'kiss of life' (resuscitation).
- Misspelling as 'kiss *to* death'.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario would you MOST likely use 'kiss of death'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not necessarily. The action itself might be well-intentioned, but its effect is disastrous. The focus is on the catastrophic result, not the intent.
Yes. It's commonly used for projects, ideas, careers, businesses, or reputations (e.g., 'The new tax was the kiss of death for small shops').
It is widely believed to originate from the Mafia or gangster culture, where a kiss from the boss was supposedly a signal that the recipient was marked for execution. It entered general English usage in the mid-20th century.
The direct opposite is the 'kiss of life,' meaning mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or something that revives. A more figurative opposite is a 'lifeline' or 'saving grace'.