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do or die en · VERB · etymology 1

An ultimatory verbal phrase composed of the words: do, or, and die.

(idiomatic) To act with sufficient urgency to result in either immediate success or immediate failure.
- Lay the proud Usurpers low! / Tyrants fall in every foe! / Liberty's in every blow! / Let us do or die! 1793, Robert Burns, Robert Bruce's March To Bannockburn 6th stanza.4th line
- Here is a mantra, a short one, that I give you. You may imprint it on your hearts and let every breath of yours give expression to it. The mantra is : ‘Do or Die’. We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery. 1942, Mahatma Gandhi, Address before the A.I.C.C. at Bombay on 08/08/1942, 8th paragraph at the beginning
- Emanuel: Bless us, dear Fortune! / Armusia: Let us be worthy of it in our courage, and Fortune must befriend us. Come, all sever; but keep still within sight: when the flame rises let's meet, and either do or die. 1621 (first literary attestation), John Fletcher, The Island Princess act 2.scene 2

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
doing or dying	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
either do or die		alternative	lexicographic
does or dies	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
do-or-die		alternative	lexicographic
did or died	Tense=Past		lexicographic
done or died	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic

An adjectival phrase composed of the words: do, or, and die.

(idiomatic, not-comparable) Requiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.
- Clinton and Dole brought different needs to the debate. For Dole it was do or die. He had to hit Clinton hard but without seeming harsh, a conundrum for him all year. 1996 October 14, “Clinton v. Dole: Let the Debates Begin”, in Time:

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
either do or die		alternative	lexicographic
do-or-die		alternative	lexicographic