more dead than alive

Idioms  

1. Exhausted, in poor condition, as in By the time I got off that mountain I was more dead than alive. This idiom may be used either hyperbolically or literally. [c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

“The purpose is to show why Citigroup has a reason to exist. The stock market says that Citigroup is worth more dead than alive.”

From Reuters

He added: “You have to go back to the money. Jimmy Hendrix died, but the money kept flowing for many, many years afterwards. Sometimes an actress is worth more dead than alive. You've got to look at who's collecting the money now? I don't know. Every time the movie comes on, someone is getting paid. Whoever's got the money knows the truth.”

From Fox News

“We find that once we show an interest in the animals the perception is that there must be lots of money to be made. Also, these animals are worth more dead than alive, for their bones, teeth and skins, or to be sold as pets. Internationally, animal trafficking is behind only drugs, arms and human trafficking.”

From The Guardian

He had a life insurance policy, and he wondered if he was worth more dead than alive.

From Washington Post

Most businesses were mostly “more dead than alive,” he added.

From Reuters