do-or-die

[ doo-er-dahy ]

/ ˈdu ərˈdaɪ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR do-or-die ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

reflecting or characterized by an irrevocable decision to succeed at all costs; desperate; all-out: a do-or-die attempt to halt the invaders.

involving a potentially fatal crisis or crucial emergency.

Nearby words

do-goodism, do-it-yourself, do-little, do-nothing, do-nothingism, do-or-die, do-rag, do-re-mi, do-si-do, do., doa

Origin of do-or-die

First recorded in 1875–80

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for do-or-die

Soon after, Kim visited a naval base and ordered the navy to “raise heroes for do-or-die squads at sea.”
Time to Talk to the Dictator|Mike Chinoy|May 25, 2010|DAILY BEAST
There is some evidence that Geithner himself knows that this is do-or-die time.
Is Geithner Toast?|Charlie Gasparino|January 26, 2010|DAILY BEAST
In that ninth inning Roxley came to the bat with a "do-or-die" look.
The Rover Boys on a Tour|Arthur M. Winfield
The nose of the freshman boat crept alongside the sophs, whose faces wore a do-or-die look.
Frank Merriwell at Yale|Burt L. Standish

We're stuck, Corbett, so lay off that last chance, do-or-die routine.
Stand by for Mars!|Carey Rockwell
The stranger had a most impressive and yet absurd air of drunken sternness written in his face, a do-or-die look.
Twelve Men|Theodore Dreiser
Brill came to the bat for the third time with a sort of do-or-die look on the faces of the players.
The Rover Boys on a Tour|Arthur M. Winfield

British Dictionary definitions for do-or-die

do-or-die

adjective

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012