drive a nail in someone's coffin

Verb

To do something tending to hasten someone's death or ruin.

Japanese Meaning

（人や組織の）破滅や失敗を加速させる行動をとる / 最終的な結末、あるいは致命的な一撃を与える

When the board ignored repeated safety warnings, the chairman feared their neglect could drive a nail in someone's coffin.

取締役会が繰り返される安全警告を無視したとき、議長はその怠慢が誰かのとどめを刺してしまうのではないかと恐れた。

Sense（1）

To do something tending to hasten someone's death or ruin.

drives a nail in someone's coffin

（ present singular third-person ）

driving a nail in someone's coffin

（ participle present ）

drove a nail in someone's coffin

（ past ）

driven a nail in someone's coffin

（ participle past ）