止めを刺す

From 止め (“finishing blow”) +‎ を +‎ 刺す (“to stab”).

止(とど)めを刺(さ)す • (todome o sasu) godan (stem 止(とど)めを刺(さ)し (todome o sashi), past 止(とど)めを刺(さ)した (todome o sashita))

1. finish off, deliver the final blow (so to ensure (something) is dead)

   ライオンが獲物(えもの)に一撃(いちげき)でとどめを刺(さ)した。

   Raion ga emono ni ichigeki de todome o sashita.

   The lion put an end to his prey with one stroke.

2. (idiomatic) deliver the final blow (so to ensure (someone or something) to have no hope for recovery)

   盗作問題(とうさくもんだい)で、作家生命(さっかせいめい)に止(とど)めを刺(さ)された。

   Tōsaku mondai de , sakka seimei ni todome o sasareta.

   The person's career in writing was ended due to problems in plagiarism.

3. (idiomatic) ～に止めを刺す: to be the best for

   山(やま)は、やはり富士山(ふじさん)に止(とど)めを刺(さ)す

   yama wa , yahari fujisan nitodome o sasu

   Nonetheless, Mt. Fuji is the best mountain.

4. (idiomatic) to clearly explain (so to avoid problems that could happen later on)

   期日(きじつ)までに完成(かんせい)しなければ責任(せきにん)をとってもらうと、止(とど)めを刺(さ)しておく。

   Kijitsu made ni kansei shinakereba sekinin o tottemorau to , todome o sashiteoku.

   I'll say it beforehand. If you can't complete within the time limit, you will be held responsible.

• 釘(くぎ)を刺(さ)す (kugi o sasu)