knell Idiom, Proverb
death knell|death|knell
n.,
formal 1. The ringing of a bell at a death or funeral.
The people mourned at the death knell of their friend. 2.
literary Something which shows a future failure.
Bill's poor grade on his final examination sounded the death knell of his hope to be a doctor. His sudden deafness was the death knell of his hope to become President.
death knell
death knell Something that indicates impending failure, as in
His low scores sounded the death knell for his ambitions. The noun
knell, used for the ringing of a bell since at least A.D. 1000, is rarely heard today except in this figurative phrase.
knell
knell see
death knell.