Death: English Vocabulary List

used to imply that all living things will eventually die and return to the earth as dust, emphasizing the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of human life

"Ashes to ashes, dust."

"The priest spoke solemnly at the funeral, reminding everyone that we all return to the earth — ashes to ashes, dust to dust, a reminder of mortality."

used to imply that once someone or something is dead, it no longer poses a threat or danger, aiming to reassure someone who is afraid of a situation that their fear may be unfounded

"Dead men do not bite."

"Once the company was dissolved, it could cause no further harm — dead men do not bite, so there is no need to worry."

used to emphasize that all humans are equal in the face of death, and that the pursuit of material wealth or status is ultimately meaningless in the face of mortality

"Death is the leveler."

"Wealth and status meant nothing in the end — death is the great leveller, making everyone equal in its presence."

used to suggest that when a person dies, any debts or obligations they may have had during their lifetime are considered to be settled or paid in full

"Death pays all debts."

"With nothing remaining, the creditors had no recourse — death pays all debts, settling all outstanding financial obligations."

used to emphasize the idea that death is a natural part of the human experience, and that it should be accepted as such

"Dying is natural as living."

"She had made her peace with mortality — dying is just as natural as living, an inevitable part of life's cycle."

used emphasize the importance of treating all individuals with respect and dignity, as they will ultimately be equal in death regardless of any differences that may have existed during their lifetimes

"The end makes all equal."

"In the final accounting, every distinction of rank dissolved — the end makes all equal, regardless of earthly status."

used to emphasize the fragility of human life and the idea that death is an inescapable part of the human experience

"Death is always present in life — in the midst of life we are in death."

"The sudden loss reminded the whole community — in the midst of life we are in death."

used to express the idea that death is the ultimate end, and that nothing can compare to it or reverse its effects

"A dead person is beyond all remedies — stone-dead hath no fellow."

"Once the company had collapsed completely, there was nothing to salvage — stone-dead hath no fellow."

used to emphasize that while there may be solutions or cures for many of the difficulties we face in life, death is the one force that cannot be avoided or overcome

"Everything can be fixed except death — there is a remedy for everything except death."

"My grandmother always reminded us that there is a remedy for everything except death."

used as a reminder that people's lives are part of a larger cycle of existence, and that death is a natural and inevitable part of that cycle

"Life and death are part of the same continuum — life is not separate from death, it only looks that way."

"The philosopher had spent decades exploring how life is not separate from death, it only looks that way."

used to emphasize the importance of living in the present moment and not becoming overly attached to the past or to the dead

"Do not dwell on the past — let the dead bury the dead."

"She refused to revisit resolved conflicts — let the dead bury the dead."

used to suggest that death is a natural and inevitable part of life, and that all people, regardless of age, will eventually die

"Old people must die eventually — young men may die, but old men must die."

"He had lived a full life and accepted it — young men may die, but old men must die."

used to suggest that it is pointless to accumulate material possessions in life because they cannot be taken with us after we die

"You cannot take your wealth with you — shrouds have no pockets."

"He had spent the final years giving everything away — shrouds have no pockets."

used to imply that artistic creations have the ability to endure long after their creators have passed away, making them a kind of immortality

"Art is long, life is short."

"The enduring masterpieces remind us that art is long and life is short."

used to imply that when a person is good or virtuous, it is always too soon for them to die, regardless of their age

"The best people often die young — the good die young."

"He had been taken far too soon by everyone's reckoning — the good die young."

used to express the idea that life is unfair, and that sometimes individuals who are the most deserving of a long and fulfilling life are taken too soon

"The good die young."

"It feels like the good die young when such a kind soul is lost."