death throe

The term "death throe" is often used to describe the final, often tumultuous moments of life or the end of a significant phase or entity.

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Definition

C1Life

(biological, chiefly plural)The final, often erratic movements or sounds made by a living being just before death.

Example

  • The animal's death throes were heartbreaking to witness.

C1Metaphor

(figurative, chiefly plural)The last, intense struggles or efforts before the end of an era, institution, or system.

Example

  • The company’s death throes were evident in its desperate attempts to stay afloat.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "death throe":

death rattledying gaspsudden deathdeath knelldeath rolltermination shockdo to deathto the deathdeath spiralto deathfight to the deathin extremis