Idiom meaning, usage examples, facts

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y

DO OR DIE

to act out of necessity, even if the outcome is unpleasant (1&2) or to try one’s hardest despite the likelihood of failure
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1. We decided the time had come to make a decision and act on it. As Harvey said to me, “It’s do or die. ”
2. When the time came to mount an attack on the enemy, the captain said, “Men, the time is now. We do or die. ”

The expression can function as a noun phrase (opt.1), a verb (opt.2), or an adjective (opt.3). When used as a verb, the expression is never conjugated (i. e. , never “does or dies”), and thus is only used with I, we, and they.


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