coup de grace
(pl coups de grace / 9ku
dE 5grB:s; ?@ -5grs; kudE`^rB:s/) blow that kills a person or an animal, esp for reasons of mercy 致命的一击(尤指为解除垂死时痛苦者)
(fig 比喻) Poor exam results dealt the coup de grace to (ie ended) his hopes of staying on at university. 他考试成绩不好, 继续念大学的希望一下子破灭了.