death by a thousand cuts

plural deaths by a thousand cuts

1. countableuncountableLingchi, a form of execution.
2. countablefigurativelyuncountableA gradual decline or failure as the result of many minor mishaps.

   The steelmaker warned that moving production overseas would be an inevitable consequence. One executive said: “This is death by a thousand cuts.”

   2010 April 10, Tim Webb, “Heavy industry claims carbon emission targets are ‘death by a thousand cuts‘”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 21 Jan 2025

   1 more example

   There are only months left to save our railway from a vicious downward spiral. Do we choose reform of the workforce or death by a thousand cuts? Who will stand up and speak for the industry to avoid such a massive own goal?

   2022 January 12, Sir Michael Holden, “Reform of the workforce or death by a thousand cuts?”, in RAIL, number 948, page 25