ENGLISH
REFERENCE

swan song

idiom
Meaning

A final performance or accomplishment, especially one before retirement.


Origin

disputed origin

Calque of German Schwanenlied(from Schwan + Lied) or Schwanengesang; from the belief that the mute swan sings before dying.

Examples
SIMPLE

This concert is the band's swan song.

CONTEXTUAL

The veteran athlete announced that this championship game will be his swan song before he retires.

COMPLEX

The aging novelist spent years crafting her final manuscript, intending it to be a brilliant swan song to her long and celebrated career.

Anchors to
Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    go for a song

    To be sold at a very low price.

  2. 02

    old song

    A trifle; nothing of value.

  3. 03

    siren song

    An enticing but dangerous appeal, especially a misleading one.

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