How to Pronounce "death by a thousand paper cuts"
expression
DETH by uh THOU-zuhn PAY-per kuts
DETH by uh THOU-zuhnd PAY-puh kuts
Definition
A situation where many small problems or minor damages accumulate over time until they cause a major failure or serious harm.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈdɛθ/ /ˈbaɪ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈθaʊzən/, /ˈθaʊzənd/ /ˈpeɪpɝ/ /ˈkəts
British English
dˈɛθ/ /bˈaɪ/ /æɪ/ /θˈaʊzənd/ /pˈeɪpɐ/ /kˈʌts
Simplified Pronunciation
US
DETH by uh THOU-zuhn PAY-per kuts
UK
DETH by uh THOU-zuhnd PAY-puh kuts
Listen in Context
The company closed after experiencing death by a thousand paper cuts from many small issues.
Fixing one bug isn't enough if you're facing death by a thousand paper cuts.
He quit his job because of death by a thousand paper cuts; the stress added up over time.
Our software isn't failing because of one big bug—it's death by a thousand paper cuts.