Idioms/Death

Idioms based on Death and the afterlife. Select an idiom for more details. Also try Death Idioms Quiz.

a matter of life and death

If something is a matter of life and death, it's extremely important and it could involve someone's survival.

dead in the water

If something is dead in the water, it has no chance of succeeding or of making any progress.

dead to the world INFORMAL

If you're dead to the world, you are sound asleep.

dig one's own grave

If you dig your own grave, you do something unwise that will result in your own failure or downfall in the future.

kick the bucket INFORMAL

If someone kicks the bucket, they die.

kill the goose that lays the golden egg

If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you destroy something that has made you a lot of money.

kill time

You kill time when you do something to amuse yourself while waiting for something.

kill two birds with one stone

If you kill two birds with one stone, you achieve two things with the one action.

make a killing

If you make a killing, you make a lot of money from a sale or a deal of some sort.

Never say die!

You can say "Never say die!" if you want to tell someone to keep trying while there's still a chance of success.
Also try Death Idioms Quiz.

Contributor: Matt Errey