das Verhängnis
Translation
doom, downfall, disaster, undoing
Examples
Sein Leichtsinn wurde ihm zum Verhängnis.
His recklessness became his undoing.
Das Unwetter war ein Verhängnis für die Ernte.
The storm was a disaster for the harvest.
Grammar Patterns
to become sb.'s undoing His greed became his undoing.
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.