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kiss of death

Something that may seem good and favourable but that actually brings ruin to hopes, plans, etc.

Etymology:

  • Biblical: Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss.
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The role in the soap opera was the kiss of death for Ann's career as a theatrical actress.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'kiss of death':

kiss of deathA kiss on the cheek that signifies the death of the receiver, as delivered by a mob boss or one with such influence.
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to kiss of death

death warmed uplife-or-deathFrench kisskiss of lifekiss something/someone goodbyelife-or-deathdo you kiss your mother with that mouth?kiss someone's asskiss up tokiss offkiss of lifekiss upgive me liberty or give me deathkiss someone's ring

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