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.

This bullpen is going to be the death of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

Today should be the death of those naïve beliefs and fictions.

From Salon • Jan. 20, 2025

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

From Seattle Times • Aug. 11, 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

It hurt, but it would not be the death of me.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

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