in at the death

Idioms  

1. Also,. Involved in or present at the end, especially a disastrous end but sometimes merely the climax of an important event. For example, He had a hand in their breakup, but he didn't want to be in at the death, or They've done really well this year, and we want to be in at the kill. These expressions originally alluded to hunters and hounds being present at the death of a fox they had run to ground. [First half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in at the death

In all, England sent down 11 overs of spin, the most they have ever bowled in a T20, before paceman Mahmood nipped in at the death for 3-33.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2021

But a late penalty try brought Gloucester within three points and Barton raced in at the death to win it for the hosts.

From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2020

In the reign of Charles II, a 70-mile hunt was held from Swinley to Lord Petre's Seat in Essex; the Duke of York was the only hunter in at the death.

From Time Magazine Archive

The three active children of mystery-writing Marian Carstairs were practically in at the death when murder came next door, and in their own inimitable fashion pointed out the solution to a brace of long-suffering detectives.

From Time Magazine Archive

"He and his sons have been in at the death of more than one; they will follow a leopard into a cave."

From The Three Sapphires by W. A. Fraser