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Reference : Phrasal Verbs : D : dying for

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dying for

Meaning: If you're dying for something, you really feel like it or you want it very much.

For example:

  • dying for sth I’m dying for a cup of tea. Let's have a break and I'll make one.

  • dying for sth After working non-stop for a month, Charles said he was dying for a day off so he could stay home and do nothing.

Note: This phrasal verb is always used in the progressive or continuous tense. For example, we cannot say "I always die for a cup of tea in the afternoon." We have to say "I'm always dying for a cup of tea in the afternoon." And we cannot say "I died to see you." We have to say "I was dying to see you."

Quick Quiz:

Sally says she's dying for a massage. She
  1. hates being massaged
  2. will die unless she's massaged
  3. really wants a massage

Grammar explanation: separable and non-separable phrasal verbs

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