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• do-or-die
  do-or-die

  adjective

  reflecting or characterized by an irrevocable decision to succeed at all costs; desperate; all-out.
• do or die
  do or die

  Exert supreme effort because failure is close at hand, as in Carol was going to set up the computer, do or die. This hyperbolic expression in effect says one will not be deterred by any obstacle. [c. 1600]

do-or-die

American  

[doo-er-dahy] / ˈdu ərˈdaɪ /

adjective

1. reflecting or characterized by an irrevocable decision to succeed at all costs; desperate; all-out.

   a do-or-die attempt to halt the invaders.

2. involving a potentially fatal crisis or crucial emergency.

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do-or-die British  

adjective

1. (prenominal) of or involving a determined and sometimes reckless effort to succeed

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do or die Idioms  

1. Exert supreme effort because failure is close at hand, as in Carol was going to set up the computer, do or die. This hyperbolic expression in effect says one will not be deterred by any obstacle. [c. 1600]

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Etymology

Origin of do-or-die

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

do-or-die do or die

Balogun, 25, was due to sit out the do-or-die contest in Seattle after receiving a controversial red card for accidentally stepping on an opponent’s ankle during the Americans’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

It urges fans to "join a national debate about what it means to be English" ahead of the "do-or-die clash".

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

“Earning points is useless because now comes the important part — do-or-die matches. We’re focused on that.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

From here on out, it’s the knockout rounds, do-or-die, win for national glory, or go to the airport and dine on our $8 cheese sticks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

And it occurs to me that even in these do-or-die moments, there’s still space for us to laugh.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

“To stay true to that process, but to take it up to a next level. Because at this time of the year, it’s do or die, and you gotta compete really hard.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026

"This is do or die," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of sending in Glasnow after closer Roki Sasaki got into trouble.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2025

“This is do or die now,” said Australia goalie Mackenzie Arnold.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 4, 2023

“And so I told myself, ‘This is do or die.’

From Washington Post ● Feb. 22, 2023

“Thank you, Queen Warbeak, my friend. Now we must go. A strategy can be worked out on the way to the Abbey. Let’s hurry. There’s no time to lose. It’s do or die now!”

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Related Words

• championship
• clash
• event
• fight
• game
• match
• meeting
• race
• rivalry
• sport
• struggle
• tournament
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