kiss of death



kiss of death

An action or relationship that is ultimately ruinous. For example, Some regard a royal divorce as a kiss of death to the monarchy. This term alludes to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, who kissed him as a way of identifying him to the soldiers who came to arrest him (Matthew 26: 47-49). It dates only from about 1940 but was previously called a Judas kiss.
See also: death, kiss, of

kiss of death

n. the direct cause of the end of someone or something. Your attitude was the kiss of death for your employment here.
See also: death, kiss, of

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Somayeh-Persian
Lior-Hebrew
CyrylTSI-rilPolish
Shir (1)SHEERHebrew
Elfriedeel-FREE-dəGerman
GiffardGIF-ərdEnglish (Rare)