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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

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

“Earning points is useless because now comes the important part — do-or-die matches. We’re focused on that.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

The Azzurri, who lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a do-or-die playoff on Tuesday, last qualified in 2014.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026

However, it isn’t a do-or-die proposition for IBM, Woodring points out.

From Barron's ● Dec. 10, 2025

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

Totsuka, 24, crashed on his final run, meaning it was do or die for James in the last run of the competition.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 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

“Once it gets to the knockout stages, you kind of become a different team. It’s just do or die at that point.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 1, 2023

Nowadays, the system feels so do or die.

From New York Times ● May 17, 2023

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