coup de grace

• Coup ou tir qui achève une personne ou un animal blessé afin de mettre fin à ses souffrances, ou, au sens figuré, action décisive qui met fin à quelque chose.

A final blow or shot that kills a wounded person or animal to end suffering, or metaphorically, a decisive finishing action that ends something.

1. Final blowC1formal

   A final, decisive action or event that ends something, often used in a military or competitive context.

   coup de grâce

   • The general ordered the coup de grace to end the enemy's resistance.
   • The final goal was the coup de grace for the opposing team.
   • The scandal delivered the coup de grace to his political career.

2. Mercy killingC2formal

   A death blow intended to end the suffering of a wounded or dying person or animal.

   coup de grâce

   • The hunter delivered the coup de grace to the injured deer.
   • In medieval times, a knight would give a coup de grace to a fallen enemy.
   • The veterinarian administered a coup de grace to the suffering animal.