25 English Idioms About Death
25 English Idioms About Death
Death is something that everyone will experience at some point in their lives. It has intrigued and scared people for centuries.
People have used different forms of art, like books, poems, and even everyday conversations, to talk about death.
Idioms, which are fun phrases that make our language more interesting, also talk about death.
Today, we will learn about 25 idioms that help us understand how we feel about death and what happens after.
1. Kick the Bucket
Perhaps one of the most widely recognized idioms related to death, “kick the bucket” is believed to have originated from the concept of hanging.
When someone was hanged, they would literally kick away the bucket they were standing on, leading to their demise.
2. Buy the Farm
This idiom has its roots in the military during World War II.
When a pilot crashed their plane, it was said that they had “bought the farm,” referring to the potential for their remains to be buried on a farm near the crash site.
3. Cash in One’s Chips
Derived from the world of gambling, “cashing in one’s chips” is a metaphor for leaving the game of life behind.
Just as a gambler collects their chips when they’re done playing, death is seen as the final act of cashing out.
4. Go West
In the context of death, “going west” is a euphemism that originated in the American West.
It was believed that souls traveled westward towards the setting sun after death, leading to the phrase’s association with passing away.
5. Join the Choir Invisible
This poetic idiom refers to the idea that after death, one joins an unseen choir of those who have passed before.
It was coined by the English writer George Eliot and suggests a spiritual reunification with those who have gone before us.
6. Meet One’s Maker
“Meeting one’s Maker” is a religious idiom that implies facing God or a divine creator after death.
It carries the notion that we will be held accountable for our actions in the afterlife.
7. Pushing up Daisies
This idiom paints a vivid picture of someone buried underground, with daisies growing above their grave.
It’s a whimsical yet morbid way of referring to being deceased and buried.
8. Rest in Peace (RIP)
Perhaps the most common phrase associated with death, “rest in peace” is a wish for the departed soul to find eternal rest and tranquility.
It’s often seen on gravestones and memorials as a final farewell.
9. Six Feet Under
Derived from the traditional depth of burial graves, “six feet under” is an idiom that refers to being dead and buried.
It’s a blunt and straightforward way of describing someone’s ultimate resting place.
10. Bite the Dust
This idiom has its origins in ancient Roman gladiatorial battles, where defeated warriors would literally bite the dust as they fell to the ground.
Over time, it became a metaphor for dying, often in a violent or unexpected manner.
11. Shuffle off this Mortal Coil
Taken from Shakespeare’s famous line in Hamlet, “shuffle off this mortal coil” is a poetic way of referring to the act of dying and shedding one’s physical body.
12. Turn up One’s Toes
A rather macabre idiom, “turning up one’s toes” refers to the way a person’s toes point upwards after death, signaling their transition from the living world.
13. Flatline
In the context of death, “flatline” refers to the flat, unchanging line that appears on a heart monitor when someone’s heart stops beating, indicating they have passed away.
14. Drop off the Twig
This idiom likens life to a branch on a tree, with death being the moment when one “drops off the twig.” It’s a natural and organic way of describing the end of one’s life journey.
15. Bite the Big One
While crude in its phrasing, “bite the big one” is an idiom that refers to dying, often in a sudden or unexpected manner.
Its origins are unclear, but it has become a part of modern slang.
16. Croak
Derived from the sound frogs make, “croak” is a informal way of saying someone has died. It’s often used in a lighthearted or humorous context, despite its morbid meaning.
17. Give up the Ghost
This idiom has its roots in the Christian belief that the soul (or “ghost”) leaves the body upon death.
“Giving up the ghost” is a poetic way of describing the moment when someone’s spirit departs their physical form.
18. Journey to the Great Beyond
“The great beyond” is a euphemism for the afterlife or the unknown realm that awaits us after death. To “journey to the great beyond” is to embark on the final passage from this world to the next.
19. Eternal Slumber
This idiom portrays death as a permanent, unending sleep, free from the worries and trials of the living world. It carries a sense of peace and tranquility associated with the final rest.
20. Depart this Life
A delicate way of referring to death, “depart this life” implies that one is leaving the physical realm and embarking on a new journey, whether spiritual or metaphorical.
21. Breathe One’s Last
A literal description of the final moments of life, “breathe one’s last” refers to the act of taking one’s final breath before passing away. It’s a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.
22. The Grim Reaper
Personifying death as a skeletal figure wielding a scythe, “the Grim Reaper” is a centuries-old idiom that portrays death as an ominous and inescapable force.
23. Kick the Oxygen Habit
A more lighthearted and humorous idiom, “kick the oxygen habit” is a playful way of referring to the act of dying, likening it to breaking a habit or addiction.
24. Buy a Pine Box
Derived from the traditional use of pine wood for constructing coffins, “buy a pine box” is a blunt and straightforward idiom that refers to dying and requiring a casket.
25. The Big Sleep
Borrowing from the title of a famous noir novel, “the big sleep” is an idiom that portrays death as a deep, eternal slumber from which one never awakens.
It carries a sense of finality and permanence.
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After exploring these 25 idioms, it’s clear that death has influenced the words we use.
From creative expressions to simple phrases, these idioms demonstrate our attempts to comprehend the unknown.
Whether we discuss it humorously, seriously, or with a touch of darkness, these idioms serve as reminders that we all face mortality, and that life is a journey filled with various encounters leading to the ultimate destination.
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