be the death of

Idioms  

1. 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.”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

be the death of

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,” the pastor 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

“People said it would be the death of him, but it wasn’t. It was his key to success,” said Fowler, who roomed with Mr. Jenrette in college.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 20, 2023

Although it might be the death of me, I couldn’t turn away from this.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros