Death Idioms

Death Idioms

Death is a universal human experience, yet talking about it can feel uncomfortable. However, language offers a way to approach this sensitive topic with nuance and even a touch of dark humor. Idioms related to death weave metaphors and cultural references, allowing us to express ourselves more indirectly.

So, let’s tread carefully and explore some common death idioms, approaching them with respect and sensitivity.

List of Death Idioms

Death Idioms with Meaning and Examples

Bite the dust

• Meaning: To die or be killed, especially in battle.
• Example: The villain bit the dust at the end of the movie.

Kick the bucket

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: He always said he wanted to travel the world before he kicked the bucket.

Meet one’s Maker

• Meaning: To die and face one’s creator or judgment.
• Example: When it’s my time to meet my Maker, I want to have lived a fulfilling life.

Pushing up daisies

• Meaning: To be dead and buried.
• Example: If I don’t finish this project soon, I’ll be pushing up daisies.

Pass away

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: She passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Meet one’s end

• Meaning: To die or come to a fatal conclusion.
• Example: The brave knight met his end defending the kingdom.

Shuffle off this mortal coil

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: She longed to shuffle off this mortal coil and escape her suffering.

Buy the farm

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: He always said he didn’t want to buy the farm before he could retire.

Cash in one’s chips

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: He knew he was about to cash in his chips, so he made sure to spend time with his loved ones.

Give up the ghost

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: After years of fighting the illness, he finally gave up the ghost.

Croak

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: He’s been feeling ill lately; I hope he doesn’t croak.

Meet one’s Waterloo

• Meaning: To suffer a major defeat or downfall, often resulting in death.
• Example: The experienced politician met his Waterloo in the last election.

Cross over

• Meaning: To die and move into the afterlife.
• Example: When the time comes, I hope to cross over peacefully.

Go belly up

• Meaning: To die or fail suddenly and completely.
• Example: The small business went belly up after the economic downturn.

Depart this life

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: She departed this life surrounded by her family.

Lay down one’s life

• Meaning: To die, often heroically or in sacrifice.
• Example: He laid down his life for his country.

Gone to a better place

• Meaning: Euphemistic expression for someone who has died.
• Example: Grandma is gone to a better place now, where she won’t suffer anymore.

Pass on

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: He passed on peacefully in his sleep.

Take a dirt nap

• Meaning: To die and be buried.
• Example: If he keeps driving like that, he’ll take a dirt nap sooner rather than later.

Go to the great beyond

• Meaning: Euphemism for dying or entering the afterlife.
• Example: After the accident, she went to the great beyond.

Passed Away

• Meaning: Died.
• Example: My grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Joined the Choir Invisible

• Meaning: Euphemism for dying and entering the afterlife.
• Example: After a long battle with illness, he joined the choir invisible.

Roll of the Dice

• Meaning: Taking a chance, especially with one’s life.
• Example: Investing in the stock market is like a roll of the dice; you never know what will happen.

Bought the Farm

• Meaning: Died, especially in an accident.
• Example: He always said he wanted to travel the world before he bought the farm.

On Borrowed Time

• Meaning: Living on borrowed time; surviving longer than expected.
• Example: After surviving the accident, he felt like he was on borrowed time.

Face the Music

• Meaning: Confront the consequences, especially of one’s actions.
• Example: It’s time to face the music and tell them the truth.

The Grim Reaper Comes Knocking

• Meaning: Death is imminent or approaching.
• Example: When illness strikes, the grim reaper comes knocking on the door.

Full Fathom Five

• Meaning: Buried at sea; typically used in nautical contexts.
• Example: The shipwreck lies full fathom five beneath the waves.

Over My Dead Body

• Meaning: Firm refusal, often implying that someone would have to die before something happens.
• Example: You can’t borrow my car, not over my dead body!

Pop One’s Clogs

• Meaning: Die, especially when referring to an older person.
• Example: He doesn’t want to pop his clogs before he’s seen the world.

Set in Stone

• Meaning: Fixed or unchangeable, often used in the context of destiny or fate.
• Example: The decision is not set in stone; we can still change our minds.

Six Feet Under

• Meaning: Buried; refers to the standard depth of a grave.
• Example: After the funeral, he was laid to rest six feet under.

Sleep with the Fishes

• Meaning: Euphemism for being killed or disposed of, often in a criminal context.
• Example: In mafia movies, those who betray the boss often end up sleeping with the fishes.

Swim with the Fishes

• Meaning: Euphemism for being killed or disposed of, often in a criminal context (similar to “sleep with the fishes”).
• Example: If you cross him, you might end up swimming with the fishes.

Whistle Past the Graveyard

• Meaning: Act as if nothing is wrong or ignore impending danger.
• Example: He always whistles past the graveyard when talking about his risky investments.

Your Number Is Up

• Meaning: Your time has come; you are going to die.
• Example: When your number is up, there’s no escaping fate.

Cash in one’s chips

• Meaning: Die, especially in a casual or resigned manner.
• Example: He’s ready to cash in his chips and retire to the countryside.

Cross the Great Divide

• Meaning: Die and enter the afterlife.
• Example: When it’s time to cross the great divide, I hope to do so peacefully.

Dance with the Grim Reaper

• Meaning: To be close to death or facing death.
• Example: After the accident, he felt like he was dancing with the grim reaper.

Hand in one’s dinner pail

• Meaning: Euphemism for dying; a more lighthearted expression.
• Example: After a long battle with illness, he handed in his dinner pail peacefully.

Meet one’s maker

• Meaning: To die and face one’s creator or judgment.
• Example: When I meet my maker, I hope to have lived a fulfilling life.

Remember, using death idioms requires sensitivity and context. Consider your audience and the situation before using a humorous idiom. Idioms can be a helpful tool for navigating difficult conversations about death, but it’s important to be respectful.

Download the Word of the day