50 Death Idioms That’ll Make You Laugh (Not Cry!)
Death might be the ultimate taboo topic, but English speakers have found countless creative ways to talk about it without actually saying the D-word. Idioms for death are everywhere in our language, from gentle euphemisms that soften the blow to downright hilarious expressions that make light of our shared mortality.
Research Shows Death Idioms Are Universal
Studies reveal that metaphorical expressions for death exist across all languages, with English having particularly rich vocabulary in this area. A comparative analysis of death idioms across German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian found that euphemistic and humorous phrases help people address death as a “mechanism of pseudoprotection”.
| Idiom Category | Examples | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| Respectful/Religious | Pass away, Rest in peace | Formal situations, obituaries |
| Humorous/Casual | Kick the bucket, Bite the dust | Informal conversations |
| Literary/Poetic | Shuffle off this mortal coil | Written works, dramatic speech |
Pro Tip: Understanding death idioms isn’t just about vocabulary ā it’s about cultural literacy and knowing what’s appropriate when.
šÆ Death Idiom Appropriateness Checker
Select your situation to get personalized idiom recommendations:
1. Kick the Bucket
This is probably the most famous death idiom in English. Nobody’s really sure where it came from, but one theory suggests it refers to someone literally kicking away a bucket while hanging themselves. Pretty dark, right?
The phrase works great when you want to talk about death in a light-hearted way. You might say, “When I kick the bucket, I want my ashes scattered at Disney World.” It’s casual and removes some of the sting from talking about mortality.
2. Bite the Dust
This gem comes from ancient Roman gladiator fights. When warriors got defeated, they’d literally bite the dust as they hit the ground. Now we use it for any kind of death or failure.
It’s perfect for dramatic moments. Think old Western movies where the bad guy “bites the dust” in a shootout. You can also use it for non-death situations, like when your car finally bites the dust.
3. Push Up Daisies
Here’s a vivid mental image for you ā someone buried underground with daisies growing above their grave. It’s both morbid and weirdly cheerful at the same time.
This idiom works especially well in casual conversation when you’re being a bit cheeky about death. “If you keep driving like that, you’ll be pushing up daisies soon!”.
4. Six Feet Under
This one’s literally accurate ā six feet is the traditional depth for graves. It became super popular thanks to the HBO TV show with the same name.
Use this when you want to be direct but not harsh. It’s more serious than “kick the bucket” but less formal than “passed away”.
5. Pass Away
The most polite and respectful way to say someone died. This is your go-to phrase for formal situations, obituaries, and when talking to grieving people.
It suggests a peaceful transition rather than an abrupt ending. Always safe to use, especially in professional or sensitive contexts.
6. Give Up the Ghost
This phrase has deep religious roots ā it refers to the belief that the soul (or “ghost”) leaves the body when someone dies. You’ll find it in older literature and the Bible.
It’s also used for machines that stop working. “My old laptop finally gave up the ghost after ten years”.
7. Meet One’s Maker
Another religious idiom that implies facing God after death. It carries the idea that we’ll be judged for our actions in the afterlife.
This phrase has a slightly ominous tone, so it’s often used when someone dies unexpectedly or in their sleep.
8. Shuffle Off This Mortal Coil
Shakespeare alert! This beautiful phrase comes from Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy. It’s poetic and sophisticated.
Perfect for literary discussions or when you want to sound fancy. It emphasizes leaving behind the physical world.
9. Sleep with the Fishes
Made famous by The Godfather, this idiom specifically refers to being murdered and dumped in water. It’s got that gangster movie vibe.
Use it for dramatic effect or when talking about crime stories. Definitely not appropriate for real deaths!.
10. Buy the Farm
This American military slang supposedly comes from the idea that a soldier’s death benefits could buy a farm for their family. It’s casual and slightly humorous.
Great for informal conversations about death, especially in American English.
11. Cash in One’s Chips
A gambling metaphor that compares life to a poker game. When you’re done playing, you cash in your chips and leave the table.
Perfect for casual conversation and adds a playful element to discussing death.
12. Go West
This phrase originated during World War I, possibly referring to the sun setting in the west. Some believe it relates to souls traveling westward after death.
It’s gentle and poetic, making it suitable for more thoughtful discussions about mortality.
13. Join the Choir Invisible
George Eliot coined this phrase, suggesting that after death, we join an unseen choir of those who passed before us. It’s beautiful and comforting.
Use this for literary or spiritual contexts when you want to emphasize continuity after death.
14. Rest in Peace (RIP)
The most common death phrase you’ll see on gravestones and memorials. It’s a wish for eternal rest and tranquility.
Always appropriate and universally understood. Works in both formal and informal contexts.
15. Flatline
A medical term referring to the flat line on a heart monitor when someone’s heart stops. It’s clinical but widely understood.
Good for modern, casual conversation or when discussing medical situations.
16. Croak
Borrowed from frog sounds, this is an informal and somewhat humorous way to say someone died. It’s definitely casual slang.
Use it in light-hearted contexts where humor is appropriate, but never in formal situations.
17. Drop Off the Twig
This idiom compares life to a branch on a tree. When you die, you “drop off the twig.” It’s natural and organic imagery.
Perfect for nature-loving conversations or when you want to emphasize life’s natural cycle.
18. Bite the Big One
A crude but common slang expression for dying suddenly or unexpectedly. The origins are unclear, but it’s definitely modern slang.
Use with close friends in very casual settings. Not appropriate for formal discussion.
19. Turn Up One’s Toes
This macabre idiom refers to how a dead person’s toes point upward. It’s specific and slightly dark humor.
Good for British English and when you want to be a bit cheeky about death.
20. At Death’s Door
This means someone is very close to dying. They’re seriously ill or in critical condition.
Use when someone is still alive but barely. It’s more about being near death than actually dead.
21. On One’s Last Legs
Similar to “at death’s door,” this means someone doesn’t have much time left. They’re barely hanging on.
Perfect for describing both people and things that are about to give out completely.
22. One’s Number Is Up
This suggests that fate has decided it’s time to die. Like someone’s drawing numbers and yours just got called.
Great for casual conversation with a touch of fatalistic humor.
23. Pop One’s Clogs
A British expression that supposedly comes from 19th-century workers pawning their clogs to pay for funerals. It’s specifically British humor.
Use it for UK audiences or when you want to sound distinctly British.
24. Take a Dirt Nap
American slang that emphasizes the burial aspect of death. You’re literally taking a nap in the dirt.
Perfect for casual, slightly humorous contexts in American English.
25. Worm Food
Blunt and slightly gross, this refers to what happens to bodies after burial. The worms will eventually get their meal.
Use only in very casual settings where dark humor is welcome.
26. Snuffed Out
Like extinguishing a candle, this phrase suggests a sudden end to life. It’s often used for murders or unexpected deaths.
Good for dramatic contexts or crime stories.
27. Struck Down
Usually refers to death by illness. Someone gets “struck down” by disease like they’ve been hit by lightning.
Appropriate for serious medical discussions or when someone dies from sickness.
28. Step Off
A euphemistic way to say someone died. They’ve stepped off the stage of life.
Works well in gentle, respectful conversation about death.
29. Slip Away
Suggests a peaceful, quiet death. The person just quietly slipped away from life.
Perfect for describing natural, peaceful deaths, especially in medical contexts.
30. Cross Over
Spiritual language that suggests moving from this world to another. It implies continuation rather than ending.
Great for religious or spiritual discussions about death.
31. The Big Sleep
Borrowed from noir fiction, this compares death to permanent sleep. It’s both peaceful and final.
Use in literary contexts or when you want that classic detective story feel.
32. Eternal Slumber
Similar to “the big sleep,” this emphasizes the peaceful, sleep-like nature of death. It’s gentle and comforting.
Perfect for comforting language about death, especially natural deaths.
33. Breathe One’s Last
A literal description of the final moments of life. It’s the act of taking that final breath.
Use for poignant, emotional contexts where you want to emphasize the moment of passing.
34. The Grim Reaper
Personifies death as a skeletal figure with a scythe. This centuries-old image makes death into a character.
Great for Halloween, scary stories, or when discussing death as a concept.
35. Depart This Life
A delicate, formal way to say someone died. It suggests leaving on a journey.
Perfect for formal writing, obituaries, or respectful conversation.
36. Journey to the Great Beyond
Poetic language that frames death as traveling to an unknown realm. It’s hopeful and mysterious.
Use in spiritual or philosophical discussions about what happens after death.
37. Feed the Worms
Similar to “worm food,” this emphasizes what happens after burial. Your body becomes food for decomposers.
Only appropriate in very casual, dark humor situations.
38. Go the Way of All Flesh
A philosophical phrase that emphasizes our shared mortality. Everyone eventually dies ā it’s universal.
Good for thoughtful discussions about the human condition.
39. Take the Last Train
Transportation metaphor for death. You’re boarding the final train out of life.
Works well for gentle, metaphorical discussions about death.
40. Curtains
Theater slang meaning it’s over. When the curtains close, the show is done.
Perfect for dramatic contexts or when discussing the end of something.
41. Check Out
Hotel metaphor for death. You’re checking out of the hotel of life.
Great for casual conversation with a touch of humor.
42. Call It a Day
Usually means stopping work, but can euphemistically refer to dying. You’re done with your day (life).
Works in gentle, work-related contexts when discussing retirement or end of life.
43. Hang Up One’s Boots
Sports metaphor for retirement or death. Athletes hang up their boots when they’re done playing.
Perfect for discussing athletes, workers, or anyone ending their career/life.
44. Throw in the Towel
Boxing metaphor that usually means giving up, but can refer to death. The fighter’s throwing in the towel.
Good for contexts involving struggle, fighting illness, or giving up the fight.
45. Pack It In
British slang for stopping or dying. You’re packing up your things and leaving.
Use in British English or casual conversation about ending things.
46. Sign Off
Media metaphor for ending. Like a radio DJ signing off for the last time.
Works well for broadcasting contexts or modern, casual conversation.
47. Log Off
Computer metaphor for death. You’re logging off from the game of life.
Perfect for tech-savvy audiences or younger generations.
48. Power Down
Another tech metaphor. Like shutting down a computer, you’re powering down for good.
Great for modern, casual conversation with tech references.
49. Not Long for This World
Old-fashioned phrase meaning someone will die soon. They don’t have much time left here.
Use for formal or traditional contexts when discussing terminal illness.
50. Off on a Boat
Viking reference to death. Vikings sent their dead out to sea on burning boats.
Perfect for historical contexts or when you want to reference Nordic culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we use so many idioms for death?
Death makes people uncomfortable, so we create gentler ways to talk about it. These idioms help us discuss mortality without the harsh reality of saying someone “died.”
Are death idioms appropriate in formal writing?
It depends on your audience and context. Respectful phrases like “passed away” work in formal settings, while humorous ones like “kicked the bucket” are better for casual conversation.
Do other languages have as many death idioms as English?
Yes! Research shows that metaphorical expressions for death exist across all languages. However, English has particularly rich vocabulary because it borrows from many other languages.
When should I avoid using death idioms?
Be careful in grief situations. Stick to respectful phrases like “passed away” when talking to someone who’s lost a loved one. Avoid humorous idioms in serious contexts.
Can death idioms be used for non-death situations?
Absolutely! Many death idioms work for other “endings” ā like when machines break (“gave up the ghost”), projects fail (“bit the dust”), or relationships end.
Conclusion
Death idioms reveal something fascinating about human nature ā our need to soften difficult topics while maintaining our sense of humor. From Shakespeare’s poetic phrases to modern slang, these expressions show how language evolves to help us cope with mortality.
The next time you hear someone say they’re “not long for this world” or their car “gave up the ghost,” you’ll understand the rich cultural history behind these phrases. Language isn’t just about communication ā it’s about finding creative ways to discuss the things that scare us most.
Remember, the key to using death idioms effectively is reading the room. A funeral isn’t the place for “kicked the bucket,” but casual conversation with friends? That’s where these colorful expressions really come alive ā ironically speaking, of course.
Helpful Resources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English-language_expressions_related_to_death
- https://idiominsider.com/idioms-for-death/
- https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/5128088.pdf?abstractid=5128088&mirid=1
- https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/death-euphemisms
- https://teamgrammar.com/idioms-for-death/
- https://www.englishclub.com/ref/Idioms/Quizzes/Death/
- https://loveyouenglish.com/english-idioms-about-death/
- https://www.englishyourenglish.com/vocabulary/rules/idioms-death
- https://leverageedu.com/explore/learn-english/idioms-on-death/
- https://www.searchenginejournal.com/taking-advantage-of-idioms-dictionaries/13206/
- https://www.alps.academy/life-death-idioms/
- https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1220508/FULLTEXT02.pdf
- https://www.mindspun.com/blog/clickbait-titles-you-should-be-using/
- https://bestwriting.com/blog/idiom-in-writing/
- https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/death
