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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

do-or-die do or die

More than 10 years after leaving the sport behind, he started the do-or-die Game 3 of the wild card series against the Philadelphia Phillies and allowed just one hit over 3 ⅓ shutout innings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 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

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

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

“To stay true to that process, but to take it up to a next level. Because at this time of the year, it’s do or die, and you gotta compete really hard.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026

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

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

“It’s really do or die for him, make or break. Finally time to show that he’s a capable candidate. And if he doesn’t,” he added, “I think this could be the end.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 22, 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

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