death by a thousand cuts
The phrase "death by a thousand cuts" originates from the ancient Chinese execution method *lingchi* and is now used metaphorically to describe situations where minor issues accumulate to cause significant harm.
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Definition
C1General
(figurative, idiomatic)A situation where numerous small problems or setbacks accumulate to cause a major failure or disaster.
Example
- The company's bankruptcy was a result of death by a thousand cuts, with small financial missteps adding up over the years.
- Her confidence eroded over time, a death by a thousand cuts from constant criticism.
C1Psychology
(figurative)The cumulative effect of many minor emotional hurts or stressors leading to significant psychological distress.
Example
- Experiencing microaggressions daily can feel like death by a thousand cuts, slowly wearing down one's mental health.
C1Systemic
(figurative, technical)The gradual decline of a system or institution due to a series of small, often unnoticed, negative changes.
Example
- The educational system's quality has suffered death by a thousand cuts, with budget cuts and policy changes over the decades.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "death by a thousand cuts":