# another nail in someone's coffin

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/another-nail-in-someones-coffin
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

## Examples

- Losing that client was another nail in his coffin.
- The scandal was another nail in the company's coffin, and investors began pulling out immediately.
- When the evidence of corruption surfaced, it served as yet another nail in the mayor's coffin, sealing his political fate before the vote even took place.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.