Death
A fate worse than death
Meaning
The reputed opinion of sexual intercourse by prim Victorian ladies.
Examples
Lord Carruthers dragged me to his bedroom and left me in no doubt I was to suffer a fate worse than death.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but now considered rather old-fashioned and used mainly by the older generation.
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Bite the dust
Meaning
Die, especially in a violent or sudden way.
Examples
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid bit the dust at the end of the movie.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century. Probably influenced by a biblical passage.
Where is it used?
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Bought the farm
Meaning
Died, especially in a violent way which may give rise to an insurance claim.
Examples
Henry’s parachute failed at 20,000 feet – he really bought the farm.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Brown bread
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for dead.
Examples
That bird just landed on the live power cable. He’s brown bread for sure.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Bucket list
Meaning
A list of things you plan to do before you ‘kick the bucket’ (die). Often a list of fanciful ideas rather than of concrete plans.
Examples
I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I guess I’ll add that to my bucket list.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century – popularized by the title of the film The Bucket List (2007).
Where is it used?
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Dead ringer
Meaning
An exact duplicate.
Examples
I can’t tell the twins apart. They’re dead ringers of each other.
Where did it originate?
American, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
Most common in the USA, but used worldwide too.
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Dead white European male
Meaning
Derogatory reference to someone who has an unjustified reputation.
Examples
John Ruskin is a hero to some people in the art world but I can’t see him as anything other than a dead, white, European male.
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Dropping like flies
Meaning
Many people either falling ill or dying.
Examples
In the Black Death in 1348 Londoners were dropping like flies.
Where did it originate?
USA, early 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Flog a dead horse
Meaning
To attempt to make progress with something that has no future.
Examples
Reissuing Betamax tapes? You’re flogging a dead horse there mate.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century.
Where is it used?
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Kick the bucket
Meaning
Die.
Examples
Grandad kicked the bucket last week. No real surprise – he was 96.
Where did it originate?
Britain – 18th century.
Where is it used?
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Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning
Accomplish two things with a single action.
Examples
When I chop the wood I get warm too. You could say I kill two birds with one stone.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century. Found in the writings of Thomas Hobbes.
Where is it used?
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Lord Fred
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for bed.
Examples
The hamster escaped and the cat got it – it’s Lord Fred for sure.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Over my dead body
Meaning
Said when you absolutely refuse to allow something to happen.
Examples
He bullied me at school and now you want to promote him. Over my dead body!
Where did it originate?
Britain, circa 1800. From the writings of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Where is it used?
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Peg out
Meaning
1. To die, especially to die of old age. 2. To complete a circuit of the board in the card game cribbage.
Examples
1. Gran had been bedridden for months and finally pegged out yesterday. 2. Just six more holes to go – if I get three nines I’ll be able to peg out.
Where is it used?
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The empty chair
Meaning
The perceived absense of someone who is recently deceased.
Examples
Some days I can forget about Jim’s death for a while, then I see the empty chair and the grief comes back.
Where is it used?
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Wouldn't be caught dead
Meaning
Referring to something you absolutely refuse to do.
Examples
I’m a lifelong socialist. I wouldn’t be caught dead working for a hedge fund.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide but most common in Britain.
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You can't take it with you
Meaning
Suggestion that you should spend money and live life now as it will be no use to you after you die.
Examples
Grandma saved all her life but lived on a pittance. No one told her that you can’t take it with you.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 1930s – deriving from several similar idioms dating from the early 19th century onward.
Where is it used?
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Your number is up
Meaning
It is now your turn. For instance, if 1. You are about to die. or 2. You have won a lottery.
Examples
1. When I heard the bombers screaming towards us I was sure my number was up. 2. Who has ticket number 374? Come on down and collect your prize – your number is up.
Where is it used?
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