the kiss of death

[Nenad11]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #382 "English Slang Idioms (113)", question 8

"We need to focus on selling a different product. As you know, the one we have been pushing was aimed at buyers from high society. Hanz Crankenborkel, as you know, has a lot of sway with the society types and he gave our product the ......... of death by saying, in front of the public dinner, that our product is too tawdry for his social status," Michael told the team.

(a) bane
(b) mark
(c) kiss
(d) tell

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #382 "English Slang Idioms (113)", answer 8

"We need to focus on selling a different product. As you know, the one we have been pushing was aimed at buyers from high society. Hanz Crankenborkel, as you know, has a lot of sway with the society types and he gave our product the kiss of death by saying, in front of the public dinner, that our product is too tawdry for his social status," Michael told the team.

Correct answer: (c) kiss

Your answer was: correct
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Does to have a lot of sway mean to have a lot of influence on,effect on the society types?

[Mister Micawber]

Yes, it does.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Richardkane]

Dear teachers,According to Cambridge Dictionary,sway is followed by 'over' but in the above example, 'with' is used instead.So which one do we have to use?can you please give some more examples?many thanks

[Mister Micawber]

Either works here.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's