death by a thousand cuts

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

death by a thousand cuts (countable and uncountable, plural deaths by a thousand cuts)

1. Lingchi, a form of execution.
2. (figurative) A gradual decline or failure as the result of many minor mishaps.
   • 2010 April 10, Tim Webb, “Heavy industry claims carbon emission targets are ‘death by a thousand cuts‘”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     The steelmaker warned that moving production overseas would be an inevitable consequence. One executive said: “This is death by a thousand cuts.”

   • 2022 January 12, Sir Michael Holden, “Reform of the workforce or death by a thousand cuts?”, in RAIL, number 948, page 25:

     There are only months left to save our railway from a vicious downward spiral. Do we choose reform of the workforce or death by a thousand cuts? Who will stand up and speak for the industry to avoid such a massive own goal?

Derived terms

• death by a thousand paper cuts

See also

• Chinese water torture