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• drop-dead
  drop-dead

  adjective

  inspiring awe, astonishment, or envy.
• drop dead
  drop dead

  An expression of anger, rejection, or indignation toward someone. For example, I should do all that work for you? Drop dead! This rude imperative is usually hyperbolic, that is, the speaker is not literally asking someone to die on the spot. [c. 1930] Curiously, the adjective (and adverb) drop-dead is not at all insulting. Rather, it means “dazzling” or “awe-inspiring,” as in She wore a drop-dead outfit that all the other women admired. This usage originated in slangy journalism in the 1960s.

drop-dead

American  

[drop-ded] / ˈdrɒpˌdɛd /

adjective

1. inspiring awe, astonishment, or envy.

   a drop-dead guest list; a drop-dead sable coat.

2. being the most extreme limit or possibility.

   What's the drop-dead date for handing in term papers? That is our drop-dead offer.

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drop-dead British  

adverb

1. informal outstandingly or exceptionally

   drop-dead gorgeous

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drop dead Idioms  

1. An expression of anger, rejection, or indignation toward someone. For example, I should do all that work for you? Drop dead! This rude imperative is usually hyperbolic, that is, the speaker is not literally asking someone to die on the spot. [c. 1930] Curiously, the adjective (and adverb) drop-dead is not at all insulting. Rather, it means “dazzling” or “awe-inspiring,” as in She wore a drop-dead outfit that all the other women admired. This usage originated in slangy journalism in the 1960s.

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Etymology

Origin of drop-dead

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drop-dead drop dead

When can I get my hands on the Genesis G90 Wingback, a drop-dead gorgeous performance wagon unveiled in concept form last December?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

He was as militant a union man as I ever met, and I have met a few in my day, and moreover, he was drop-dead brilliant.

From Salon ● Dec. 31, 2024

Pushed out of mind by a handful of deadline delays, Californians now face another drop-dead date to apply for the Real ID if they plan to travel domestically next year.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2024

For putting together a ticket, Mr. Davis said, “April 15 is kind of their drop-dead date.”

From New York Times ● Mar. 21, 2024

The buck might drop-dead if struck in the neck, the shoulder, or the kidneys; if in other parts, he frequently galloped off with a doubled-up and cramped action.

From Sporting Scenes amongst the Kaffirs of South Africa by Drayson, A. W. (Alfred Wilks)

Brooker adds: "I'll find out when it stops if I drop dead or people stop watching."

From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2025

If Elon Musk were to drop dead tomorrow, the damage to Tesla’s share price would be unfathomable, because companies and also dumb crypto tokens get much more valuable when Musk breathes on them.

From Slate ● Dec. 6, 2024

Then when Joseph took his string of horses to Churchill Downs around this year’s Kentucky Derby, he had two horses drop dead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2023

Activision has applied to intervene in Microsoft's appeal against the CMA's decision, saying that the planned deal has a "drop dead" date of July 18.

From Reuters ● May 30, 2023

I didn't feel like I was back to my normal self when my mom finally got home from work, but the fear that I was going to drop dead had gradually subsided.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi