Meaning of death by a thousand cuts | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Lingchi, a form of execution.
   countable, uncountable
2. A gradual decline or failure as the result of many minor mishaps.
   countable, figuratively, uncountable

Examples

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

“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?”

CEFR level