dead and buried: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘dead and buried’ mean?
The idiom "dead and buried" means that something or someone is finished or completely gone, often in a final and irreversible way.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "stone dead" means completely and utterly lifeless or without any sign of life. It is often used to describe something or someone that is completely motionless, inactive, or devoid of any vitality or energy.
The idiom "kick the bucket" means to die or to pass away. It is a metaphorical expression that originated from the idea of someone accidentally kicking a bucket while they are hanging from a noose, resulting in their death.
The idiom "have done with" means to finish or complete something and have no further involvement or connection with it.
The idiom "go the way of the dodo bird" means to become extinct or disappear completely, like the dodo bird did several centuries ago. It implies that something or someone is on the path towards total disappearance or obsolescence.
The idiom "go the way of the dinosaurs" means to become extinct or obsolete, similar to how dinosaurs disappeared from the Earth millions of years ago.
The idiom "get rid of" means to dispose of something or eliminate something or someone.
The idiom "get rid of" is a common expression in American English with a straightforward and universally understood meaning. It is used figuratively to describe eliminating or disposing of something or someone undesirable. The idiom is widely used in various contexts and has become deeply entrenched in the English language.
The idiom "for good" means permanently or forever. It is used to indicate that something has come to an end and will not be repeated or resumed in the future.
The idiom "dry up and blow away" means to disappear or become forgotten, often due to lack of attention or relevance. It conveys the idea of something becoming insignificant or irrelevant over time.
Unveiling Long-Lost Tales
Idiom: Dead and Buried
The idiom "dead and buried" is a commonly used phrase with a figurative meaning that is understood by native English speakers. It originated from the literal concept of death and burial. When someone is dead and buried, it means that they have passed away and their physical body has been laid to rest in the ground.
In its figurative sense, the idiom "dead and buried" is used to convey the idea that something is definitively finished or ended. It implies that there is no possibility of revival or resurrection. It emphasizes the finality of a situation or event, leaving no room for further discussion or action. The idiom is commonly used to describe old ideas, outdated practices, or failed ventures that have been definitively put to rest.
The idiom "dead and buried" is often used in contexts such as politics and sports. In politics, it is used to describe the end of a particular policy, campaign, or candidacy; while in sports, it describes the elimination of a team or player from a competition. The phrase is versatile and can be used in various contexts to convey a sense of finality and conclusion.
stone dead is a related idiom that is often used in tandem with "dead and buried." It further emphasizes the finality of the situation by using the word "stone" as an intensifier. When something is described as "stone dead," it means that it is completely and irrevocably dead. There is no hope or possibility of revival. This idiom is commonly used to emphasize the conclusive nature of death and burial in a metaphorical sense.
done and dusted is another related idiom that shares a similar meaning with "dead and buried." When something is described as "done and dusted," it means that it is completely finished or completed. The dusting refers to the act of removing any remaining traces or remnants. This idiom is often used to express the finality and conclusiveness of a task or action.
The idiom "dead and buried" is also connected to the verb "die." When someone or something "dies," it means that they cease to live or exist. The use of the word "die" in relation to the idiom reinforces the idea of finality and irreversibility. It further emphasizes that once something is dead and buried, there is no possibility of revival or resurrection.
Another related idiom is "have done with," which is often used interchangeably with "dead and buried." When someone or something is described as "having done with," it means that they are finished or done with something. It implies that there is no desire or intention to continue or engage with it further. This idiom adds a sense of closure and finality to the idea of being dead and buried.
The idiom "dead duck" is also related to "dead and buried" in its use of the word "dead." When something is referred to as a "dead duck," it means that it is inevitably doomed or certain to fail. It conveys a sense of hopelessness and finality. This idiom is often used to describe a failed or unsuccessful venture that is beyond any possibility of recovery or revival.
The idiom "dead and buried" is a versatile phrase that effectively communicates finality and conclusion. Whether used in politics, sports, or everyday conversations, it emphasizes that there is no possibility of resurrection or revival. With its rich metaphorical association to death and burial, the idiom conveys the idea of complete and irreversible endings. However, language is constantly evolving, and new meanings or uses of the idiom may emerge in the future, keeping the possibilities of interpretation and understanding alive.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *dead and buried* can be used in a sentence:
- After losing the election, his political career was dead and buried.
- Once the scandal was brought to light, the company's reputation was dead and buried.
- Despite their best efforts, the team's hopes of winning the championship were dead and buried after their star player got injured.
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