Understanding expressions related to death is essential as they are commonly used in literature, movies, and everyday conversations. Here are 20 expressions related to death, complete with their meanings and example sentences, to help you grasp their usage and context.
1. Kick the bucket
Meaning: Die
Example: He kicked the bucket last night.
2. Bite the dust
Meaning: Die
Example: Many soldiers bit the dust in the war.
3. Pass away
Meaning: Die
Example: She passed away peacefully in her sleep.
4. Meet one’s maker
Meaning: Die
Example: He met his maker after a long illness.
5. Give up the ghost
Meaning: Die
Example: The old car finally gave up the ghost.
6. Cross the Jordan
Meaning: Die
Example: He crossed the Jordan at the age of 90.
7. Depart this life
Meaning: Die
Example: He departed this life surrounded by family.
8. Shuffle off this mortal coil
Meaning: Die
Example: She shuffled off this mortal coil last winter.
9. Join the great majority
Meaning: Die
Example: He joined the great majority last month.
10. Pay the ultimate price
Meaning: Die
Example: Many soldiers paid the ultimate price.
11. Cash in one’s chips
Meaning: Die
Example: He cashed in his chips after a battle with cancer.
12. Breathe one’s last
Meaning: Die
Example: She breathed her last after a long illness.
13. Six feet under
Meaning: Buried
Example: He’s now six feet under in the local cemetery.
14. Sleep with the fishes
Meaning: Die (Murdered)
Example: The mobster sleeps with the fishes now.
15. Meet the grim reaper
Meaning: Die
Example: He met the grim reaper suddenly.
16. Go to a better place
Meaning: Die
Example: She’s gone to a better place now.
17. Push up daisies
Meaning: Dead and buried
Example: He’s been pushing up daisies for years.
18. Take the long sleep
Meaning: Die
Example: He took the long sleep last night.
19. Join the choir invisible
Meaning: Die
Example: He’s joined the choir invisible.
20. Go to the big house in the sky
Meaning: Die
Example: He’s gone to the big house in the sky.