Pronunciation: [snˈʌf ˈa͡ʊt] (IPA) 
The phrase "snuff out" means to extinguish or put out a flame, and is pronounced /snʌf aʊt/. The first syllable "snuff" is an onomatopoeic word meaning to inhale through the nose audibly and sharply. The second syllable "out" is pronounced as expected. The spelling of this phrase is straightforward, with "snuff" being spelt as it sounds with the letters "sn" and "uff", and "out" being spelt with the letters "ou" and "t".
The phrase "snuff out" serves as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "snuff" and the adverb "out." "Snuff out" metaphorically denotes the act of extinguishing or terminating something abruptly, typically indicating the cessation of life, light, or fire. Its primary connotation revolves around the abrupt ending or suppression of a process or entity.
In a literal sense, "snuff out" refers to the action of depriving a flame or fire of oxygen, thus causing it to go out abruptly. This can be achieved by covering the flame or cutting off its fuel supply. Metaphorically, the term embodies the same idea, just applied to different contexts. For instance, it can be used to describe the ending of a life in a sudden or violent manner. Additionally, "snuff out" can be employed figuratively to connote the suppression or termination of an idea, movement, or activity. This usage often suggests an action taken swiftly and decisively to put an end to something.
The phrase "snuff out" typically carries a sense of finality, signifying the instantaneous or rapid eradication of something. Its evocative nature conjures up images of extinguishing a flame, suggesting an abrupt and irreversible end. The term captures the essence of swift termination or suppression, whether it refers to extinguishing a light, ending a life, or putting an end to an endeavor with little chance of revival.
The phrase "snuff out" has its origins in the world of candles. The word "snuff" originally referred to the burnt wick of a candle. To "snuff" a candle was to extinguish it by cutting or pinching the wick, removing the burning part so that the flame would go out. Over time, this act of snuffing a candle became associated with extinguishing anything, and eventually the term "snuff out" began to be used metaphorically to mean putting an end to something or causing its demise.
