POISON PILL Definition & Meaning

poison pill

[ poi-zuhn pil ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Also called su·i·cide pill. a pellet or capsule of a quick-acting poison, as cyanide, for a spy to ingest when faced with capture or torture.
Financial Slang. any of various business devices created to prevent a company from being taken over by another, as issuing a new class of stock or stock warrants that would become costly to the buyer in the event of a takeover.

poison pill

noun

finance a tactic used by a company fearing an unwelcome takeover bid, in which the value of the company is automatically reduced, as by the sale of an issue of shares having an option unfavourable to the bidders, if the bid is successful

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��t¶�� History and Origins

Origin of poison pill¹

First recorded in 1945–50

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But he concocted a nutty “poison pill” that would have automatically killed the Democrats’ own anti-crime legislation if Proposition 36 was approved by voters.

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Another reason for Democrats inserting the poison pill is that it would give fellow Democratic Atty.

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But some in the party cynically intend to insert a “poison pill.”

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The proposal has been described as a “poison pill” in the fractured Ohio House, where Republicans rely on Democratic votes for pass some legislation.

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The Ohio Senate passed a bill, but only after adding what Democrats viewed as a poison pill that would have banned foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns for or against ballot measures.

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poison-pen letter poison sumac

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poison pill

noun

noun

�������t¶�� History and Origins

Example Sentences

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��t¶�� History and Origins