to the death: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘to the death’ mean?
The idiom to the death means to fight or compete fiercely until one's last breath, often with extreme determination and resolve, refusing to give up or surrender.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom *yes to death* means to agree or accept something completely, without any hesitation or reservation.
The idiom "to the bone" means to do something to an extreme or exhaustive degree.
The idiom "tooth-and-nail" means to fight or compete fiercely and aggressively, using every means necessary to achieve victory or success.
The idiom "to die for" means something is extremely desirable or excellent, to the point that one is willing to give up everything for it. It expresses a strong longing or admiration for something or someone.
The idiom "to death" means to an excessive or exaggerated extent, often to the point of becoming tiresome or irritating. It is used to convey the idea of repetition or overdoing something to the point of annoyance.
The idiom *till death do us part* is often used to express the idea of a commitment or promise that is meant to last for a lifetime, typically in the context of marriage.
The idiom "take something to the grave" means to keep a secret or piece of information hidden for one's entire life, never revealing it to anyone, even on their deathbed.
The idiom "scared to death" means to be extremely frightened or afraid to the point where it feels like one could die from fear.
The idiom "put to the sword" means to kill or execute someone with a sword, often after a battle or as a form of punishment.
The idiom "over my dead body" is commonly used in the United States to express strong opposition or resistance to something. It carries a sense of defiance and determination, suggesting that the speaker would never allow the thing mentioned to happen, even if it means sacrificing their life.
Sinister Origins
Another related idiom is "to death." This phrase is used to emphasize the intensity or extreme nature of a particular action or experience. It suggests that something is done to such a great extent that it becomes exhaustive, overwhelming, or even deadly in its impact or consequences.
For example, someone might say, "I laughed to death at that joke," indicating that the joke was extremely funny and caused them to laugh uncontrollably. Similarly, someone might say, "I worked myself to death," to express that they have been working tirelessly and exhaustively.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "to the death" can be used in a sentence:
- During the fierce debate, the two politicians argued to the death, each defending their positions passionately.
- The rival sports teams clashed on the field, vowing to fight to the death for victory.
- Two warriors engaged in a deadly duel, battling to the death for honor and supremacy.
More "Battle" idioms
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