
IdiomDaily Life
English
do or die
Meaning: To make a final, all-out effort, whatever the risk.
Example: “It's do or die for the team: lose tonight and the season is over.”
Origin: A battle cry meaning success or death, with no retreat. Robert Burns used "Let us do or die" in his 1793 poem Scots Wha Hae, and the phrase was already in use in the 17th century.
More English idioms
- draw the line at something To not allow something beyond a certain acceptable point.
- dressed to kill Dressed to make a strong impression, usually in fancy or stylish clothes.
- drum someone out of the corps To expel someone from a group or organization.
- dyed in the wool Having a trait that is thoroughly ingrained or basic to one's nature.
- eager beaver A person who is very excited and enthusiastic about pursuing some activity.
- eat one's hat To do something unpleasant in the case of being proven wrong.
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