be the death of

Idioms

Cause the death of something or someone, as in This comedian is so funny, he'll be the death of me. Although this phrase can be used literally, meaning “to kill someone or something,” it has also been used hyperbolically (as in the example) since the late 1500s. Shakespeare used it in 1 Henry IV (2:1): “Since the price of oats rose, it was the death of him.”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

be the death of

Will it be the death of us or a greater boon than the internet?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

This bullpen is going to be the death of them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2025

“If that comes in, that would definitely be the death of the community,” he said.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 11, 2023

Indeed, some legal scholars argue that this future would effectively be the death of law.

From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2023

“You’ll be the death of me, I swear you will.”

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023