English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Do or die
Meaning
The idiom "do or die" means that something is extremely important, and failure is not an option. It suggests that the situation is so critical that one must either succeed or suffer a consequence that could be fatal to their reputation, career, or even life.
Usage
- The company's new CEO has made it clear that the company will either turn around its financial performance or face bankruptcy.
- After years of trying to save his marriage, John realized that he had to make a choice - do or die. He decided to end things with his wife and move on.
- The athlete was under enormous pressure to perform at their best during the Olympics, but they knew that failure was not an option. They trained tirelessly for months to ensure that they could rise to the occasion.
- As a teacher, I can't afford to fail my students. If they don't pass my class, they won't be able to graduate and pursue their dreams.
- During World War II, many soldiers faced situations where they had to make life-or-death decisions on the battlefield. They knew that failure could mean death for themselves or others.
Roots and History
The idiom "do or die" dates back to the early 20th century and has been used in various contexts throughout history. One of the earliest known uses was in military settings, where soldiers were often faced with situations where they had to make quick decisions that could mean the difference between life and death. Over time, the idiom has expanded to other areas of life, such as business, sports, and personal relationships.
Synonyms in English
- Make or break
- Win or lose
- Pass or fail
- Succeed or fail
- Achieve or miss out on
Synonyms in other languages
- English: "make or break" (similar meaning)
- French: "faire ou mourir" (literal translation of "do or die")
- Spanish: "hacer o morir" (literal translation of "do or die")
- German: "erledigen oder sterben" (literal translation of "do or die")
- Italian: "fare o morire" (literal translation of "do or die")