das Verhängnis
Translation
doom, downfall, disaster, fatal flaw
Examples
Sein Leichtsinn wurde ihm zum Verhängnis.
His recklessness became his downfall.
Das Unwetter war ein Verhängnis für die Ernte.
The storm was a disaster for the harvest.
Grammar Patterns
to become sb.'s downfall His greed became his downfall.
Similar Words
das Schicksal (fate), die Katastrophe (catastrophe), das Unheil (disaster)
Etymology
From the verb 'verhängen' (to impose, decree), relating to a fate that is 'imposed' upon someone.
Memory Tips
Think of something 'hanging' ('hängen') over you, like a dark cloud of doom.