Nail in somebody's coffin

Posted by ESC on January 09, 2007

In Reply to: Nail in somebody's coffin posted by Sameer on January 09, 2007

: Can someone tell me the meaning and origin of idiom : nail in somebody's coffin. Thanks.

A coffin -- a container for a dead body -- used to be made of wood and was sealed up with nails before burial. Another nail in somebody's coffin refers to an action, etc., that takes a person a step closer to death or some other unpleasant occurence like public disgrace.

• Nail in somebody's coffin Smokey Stover 10/January/07
  • Nail in somebody's coffin Valeriy 10/January/07