とどめを刺さす

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.

• 倒たおれた敵てきにとどめを刺さした。

  He finished off the fallen enemy.

• その一ひと言ことが彼かれの希き望ぼうにとどめを刺さした。

  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.

• 彼かれの失しつ言げんが交こう渉しょうにとどめを刺さした。

  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.

• 夏なつの暑あつい日ひは、冷つめたいビールにとどめを刺さす。

  On a hot summer day, nothing beats a cold beer.