swan song
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See also: swansong
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Calque of German Schwanenlied[1](from Schwan + Lied) or Schwanengesang[2]; from the belief that the mute swan sings before dying.
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun[edit]
swan song (plural swan songs)
- (idiomatic) A final performance or accomplishment, especially one before retirement.
- 2020 November 9, Gwen Ihnat, “With McCartney III, Paul McCartney offers lessons from a legendary life”, in The A.V. Club:
- […] McCartney III could mark the end of his recording career. For a musician as continually prolific as McCartney (this is his 18th solo record), that seems unlikely. But if it is indeed a swan song, McCartney III will stand as a proper coda for the singer-songwriter we’ve been listening to for fifty-odd years: sentimental yet strong, a bit wistful, but as always, looking ahead.
Synonyms[edit]
Translations[edit]
a final performance
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References[edit]
- ^ "swan song", Webster's Third New International Dictionary
- ^ A Way With Words