Death: English Vocabulary List

to die or no longer exist

"The old car bit dust."

"After years of loyal service, the ancient computer finally bit the dust and had to be replaced."

to die, used humorously

"My old car kicked the bucket."

"After many years of loyal service, his ancient lawnmower finally kicked the bucket last week."

(of a person, animal, or plant) certainly not alive or in existence any longer

"That species is dead as a dodo."

"The once-common passenger pigeon is now as dead as a dodo, a cautionary tale of extinction."

dead without a doubt

"The computer is dead as a doornail."

"After the power surge, the entire server rack was as dead as a doornail."

undoubtedly no longer alive or in existence

"That fashion trend is dead as mutton."

"The idea of handwritten letters has become as dead as mutton in our age of instant digital communication."

to cease to be alive

"The pilot almost bought the farm."

"During the turbulent flight, the inexperienced pilot narrowly avoided buying the farm when he lost control of the aircraft."

to die before a person retires from their job

"He was a policeman who died in harness."

"The dedicated teacher died in harness at her desk because she refused to retire even though she was very sick."

to put an stop to an activity one knows has very little or no chance of achieving success

"The old engine gave up the ghost."

"After weeks of trying to revive the failing business, the owner finally decided to give up the ghost."

the state of being close to death due to old age or a fatal sickness

"My old car has one foot in the grave."

"After his heart attack my grandfather looks like he has one foot in the grave unfortunately."

to put the body of a person who has died in a tomb or grave during a funeral

"They laid their grandfather to rest on Monday."

"The family gathered at the cemetery to lay their beloved grandmother to rest beside her husband who had died years ago."

to die, used in a humorous way

"The old man met his Maker peacefully."

"The criminal met his Maker when he was struck by lightning while trying to rob a church during a storm."

to complete one's unfinished business, such as clearing debts, etc., especially because one is about to die

"He put his affairs in order before the surgery."

"The old man put his affairs in order before he died to avoid family problems."

to lose one's life

"The soldier got his ticket punched."

"Many brave firefighters got their ticket punched while trying to save people from the burning building last summer."

to be certain to fail because of being in an awful situation

"We are done for."

"With the engine sputtering and no help in sight, the stranded hikers knew they were done for."

used to describe someone who is about to die

"After the long illness, he was at death's door."

"The patient was at death's door when the ambulance arrived but the doctors saved him."

to be expected to die soon because of a serious illness, terrible accident, etc.

"The patient lives on borrowed time."

"After surviving three heart attacks, the doctors said the old man was clearly living on borrowed time and should rest."

(of a large number of people or animals) to die or get sick rapidly

"The bees are dying like flies."

"During the terrible heatwave last summer, the fish in the local river started dropping like flies because of the warm water."

to die, often after a long life or struggle

"He cashed in chips."

"The old gambler decided to cash in his chips and retire from the casino for good."

to stop being alive

"He popped his clogs."

"My neighbour often jokes that he will probably pop his clogs before he ever finishes writing his long autobiography."

to no longer be alive

"That old tree is pushing daisies."

"If you keep driving so recklessly on these dangerous mountain roads, you will be pushing up the daisies before your next birthday."

to die or no longer exist

"The car bite dust."

"Due to the economic downturn, many small businesses were forced to bite the dust."

(of a person, animal, or plant) certainly not alive or in existence any longer

"It's dead as a dodo."

"The ancient species, once abundant, is now as dead as a dodo, existing only in fossils."

undoubtedly no longer alive or in existence

"It is dead as mutton."

"After the devastating plague, the once-thriving village was as dead as mutton."

to stop living

"He gave up the ghost."

"After a long and painful illness, the old man finally gave up the ghost peacefully in his sleep."

to be in a very dangerous situation that one may face death at any moment

"He is done for."

"Trapped in the collapsing mine shaft, the exhausted miner knew he was utterly done for."