crack of doom
English
Etymology
Referring to a loud noise, as in “crack of thunder”, suggested in Revelation 6:1 and 8:5.[1][2]
Noun
- (religion) The signal for the final dissolution of all things by God; the last trump; the end of the world.
- c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 144:
- Why do you ſhew me this?—A fourth? Start eyes! / What will the Line ſtretch out to th' cracke of Doome?
- 1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, →OCLC, page 212:
- `[B]ut I knew you'd lie till the crack of doom unless I found you out openly.'
References
- ^ The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1611, →OCLC, Revelation 6:1: “[…] and I heard as it were the noise of thunder, one of the foure beastes, saying, Come and see.”
- ^ The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1611, →OCLC, Revelation 8:5: “[…] and there were voyces, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake:”