PhrasesHub

Swan song

    Definitions

      • final act or performance
        Refers to a final gesture, performance, or accomplishment before retirement or the end of a career

      • last effort
        Describes a final attempt or effort before giving up or accepting defeat

    Examples of Swan song

    • The retiring CEO delivered her swan song in front of the board, outlining her achievements and legacy in the company.

      In this example, the idiom "swan song" is used to describe the CEO's final speech, which she delivered before leaving the company. The term "swan song" is used to describe a final act, performance, or speech before retiring or dying, just as a swan sings beautifully before dying.

    • The famous actor announced his decision to retire, assuring his fans that his upcoming movie would be his swan song in showbusiness.

      In this example, the idiom "swan song" is used to describe the actor's final movie, which he will be doing before retiring from acting.

    • The athlete had trained hard for the Olympic Games, but after disappointing results, he admitted that the event would be his swan song in competitive sports.

      In this example, the idiom "swan song" is used to describe the athlete's final appearance in competitive sports, as he had decided to retire after failing to perform well.

    • Despite being a best-selling author, the writer decided to wrap up his career with a final book, calling it his swan song.

      In this example, the idiom "swan song" is used to describe the author's last book, which he wrote before retiring from writing.

    • The outgoing CEO delivered his swan song in the annual shareholders' meeting, highlighting the significant accomplishments of the company during his tenure.

      The term "swan song" is used to describe a final act, speech, or performance, often in a dramatic or poignant manner. In this example, the CEO's speech can be viewed as his last significant contribution to the company, much like the last song a swan sings before its death.

    • She wrote her swan song, a heart-wrenching novel, after years of struggling with writer's block and personal demons.

      In this context, "swan song" refers to the author's final work, perhaps a masterpiece, before she retires or passes away. The phrase "heart-wrenching novel" serves as a metaphorical implication of the emotional depth of the author's work.

    • The ageing musician's swan song was a concert tour that spanned multiple cities, resulting in a standing ovation from the audience in each place he played.

      The idiom "swan song" here is used to describe an artist's final performance or album, which may be both a tribute and a farewell to his or her fans. The musician's concert tour can be compared to the swan's last flight before it dies, often accompanied by a sense of nostalgia and appreciation from the audience.

    • The actor's swan song was his role in the epic movie, which helped him win the coveted Academy Award for Best Actor.

      In this example, "swan song" signifies the actor's most significant (and potentially exceptional) performance during his career. The movie's prestige, combined with the actor's portrayal, could be compared to the swan's swan song, which is often an integral part of the animal's final act before its death. The use of the term "epic movie" also helps to emphasize the significance of the swan song's final act.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "swan song" is often used to refer to a final act or performance before retirement or the end of a career. It can also describe a last effort or attempt before giving up or accepting defeat. In both cases, it signifies the end of something and the idea of a final gesture or accomplishment.

    Origin of "Swan song"

    The origin of the idiom "swan song" comes from the ancient belief that swans were completely silent during most of their lives, only singing beautiful and melancholic songs just before their death. This belief led to the association of swans with finality and the end of life. Over time, the idiom "swan song" has come to represent the final act or performance of someone's career or life, capturing the idea of a poignant and significant farewell.

    One famous example of the use of this idiom is in the title of the play "The Swan Song" by Anton Chekhov, where the main character, an aging actor, delivers his final, moving performance before retiring from the stage. This usage reflects the idea of a final, poignant act or performance before the end of a career or life.