Bucket list

Meaning

The idiom "bucket list" refers to a list of things that someone wants to accomplish, do, or experience before they die. It is often associated with adventure and exploration, but can also include personal goals or aspirations.

Usage

• Emma made a bucket list of all the places she wanted to visit in Europe before she turned 30.
• James added skydiving to his bucket list after seeing it on a reality TV show.
• Sarah's bucket list included starting her own business and becoming a successful author.
• The group decided to go on a road trip across the country, checking off items from their bucket list.
• Ben's bucket list item was to perform a song at a live concert.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the idea of "bucketing" one's time on earth, by completing all the things they want to do before they pass away. Another theory is that it comes from the tradition of people putting their names in a bucket during the lottery system in colonial America.

Synonyms in English

• Bucket list: Bucket of wishes, Bucket of dreams
• Adventure bucket list: Thrill-seeking bucket list, Exploration bucket list
• Personal goal bucket list: Achievement bucket list, Purpose bucket list

Synonyms in other languages

• French: Liste de choses à faire avant de mourir
• Spanish: Lista de cosas que quieres hacer antes de morir
• Italian: Lista di cose da fare prima di morire
• German: Liste der Dinge, die du vor dem Tod erledigen möchst
• Dutch: Lijst van dingen die je voor je dood wilt hebben geaccompliceerd

Similar Idioms

• bend over backwards

• blind impulse

• turning point