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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

So while federal agents swept Ole Miss’ building, Jones worked the phones, impressing upon deep-pocketed Mississippians the do-or-die nature of the coming weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

How could the dominant team he knew lose a do-or-die game by 34 points?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

Even without the cash or support from a label, recording “Bleed American” didn’t feel like a do-or-die moment for the band’s future.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 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

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

“So that was when it was kind of like do or die … and I advocated for myself, I mean, I was losing it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

His changes influence the game, and I think with Arsenal winning it's do or die and City put in a solid performance.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2026

It was practically do or die for a banged-up team that needed to win at least two of its final five games for a realistic chance at the playoffs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025

"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

I collapse back onto the floor, thinking about how it’s do or die now.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

Related Words

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