| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Nail in One’s Coffin. | | |
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To drive a nail into one’s coffin. To shorten life by anxiety, drink, etc. Topers call a dram “a nail in their coffin,” in jocular allusion to the teetotal axiom. | 1 |
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| “Care to our coffin adds a nail, no doubt; |
| But every grin so merry draws one out.” |
| Peter Pindar (John Wolcot): Expostulatory | |
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