expression, godan verb (-su)
finish off; deliver the coup de grace; ensure is dead
Literally to deliver a final, fatal blow to a wounded person or animal. Also used figuratively for decisively ending something.
倒れた敵にとどめを刺した。
He finished off the fallen enemy.
その一言が彼の希望にとどめを刺
That one remark dealt the final blow to his hopes.
expression, godan verb (-su)
put an end to; deliver the final blow
Figurative use: to decisively end a situation, relationship, or plan, often with a single action.
彼の失言が交渉にとどめを刺した。
His gaffe put an end to the negotiations.
expression, godan verb (-su)
be the best for A
Used in the pattern AはBにとどめを刺す, meaning A is the ultimate or best thing for B, often in a positive sense. Relatively rare and idiomatic.
夏の暑い日は、冷たいビールにとどめを刺す。
On a hot summer day, nothing beats a cold beer.