noun
coup de grce or coup de grace /ˌkuːdəˈgrɑːs/ , pl coups de grce or coups de grace /ˌkuːdəˈgrɑːs/
[count] formal
an action or event that finally ends or destroys something that has been getting weaker or worse
The legislature's decision to cut funding has administered the coup de grce to the governor's proposal.
a hit or shot that kills a person or animal that is suffering