Drop dead

Meaning

The idiom "drop dead" means to die immediately, suddenly, or unexpectedly. It's often used to express surprise or shock at someone's death, especially if it's sudden and unexpected.

Usage

• I can't believe my brother just dropped dead last night.
• When I heard the news about the celebrity dropping dead, I was absolutely devastated.
• My grandma dropped dead in her sleep this morning.
• The shock of the sudden death of our colleague led to a productive outburst of creativity at work.
• The company's profits dropped dead after the new CEO took over. The usage of "drop dead" can vary depending on the context. It can be used to express sympathy and condolences, but it can also be used to express a sense of relief or liberation. For example:
• I was so relieved when my boss dropped dead. Now I don't have to worry about work anymore!
• My aunt dropped dead last week, but it was her wish to die peacefully in her sleep.
• The news of the celebrity dropping dead led to a surge in ticket sales for their upcoming concerts.

Roots and History

The idiom "drop dead" is believed to have originated from the practice of taking someone's pulse by placing one's hand on their neck. If the pulse dropped, it meant that the person had died. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean immediate or sudden death. The earliest known use of the idiom can be traced back to the 19th century in American English.

Synonyms in English

• Dead as a doornail
• Gone like yesterday
• Killed stone dead
• Knocked for six
• Passed away

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: muerto como una tapa de pimiento (dead as a bell pepper)
• French: mort comme un poil à l'eau (dead as a drowned rat)
• German: tot wie ein Fisch (dead like a fish)
• Italian: morto come un pesce (dead like a fish)
• Portuguese: morto como um peixe (dead like a fish)

Similar Idioms

• on top of the world

• deals with

• dead as a doornail