Dictionary

do-or-die en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

An adjectival phrase composed of the words: do, or, and die all conjoined by hyphens.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, not-comparable) Requiring a determined or desperate effort in order to avoid the consequences of failure.
   • At that period the L.N.W.R., with its Webb compounds, was addicted to late arrivals at Carlisle and the Caledonian proceeded to make up the arrears with a "do-or-die" attitude. 1959 February 14, A. G. Dunbar, “The "Dunalastair I" 4-4-0s of the Caledonian”, in Trains Illustrated, page 86:
   • This could be our do-or-die moment — with Democrats holding the White House and barely controlling Congress, this may be the country’s last best political opportunity to do something big on the climate. 2021 June 30, Farhad Manjoo, “Democrats Have a Year to Save the Planet”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 30 Aug 2021:
   • The do-or-die mentality gambaru permeates Japanese society, where the pursuit of a goal can carry more significance than the outcome. 2020 August 24, Kaori Enjoji, “‘Do or die’ mentality brings Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to the brink”, in CNN, archived from the original on 23 May 2025:

Forms

Relateds

sink or swim

Translations (8)

is duga eða drepast (desperate effort) · ta செய் அல்லது செத்து மடி (desperate effort) · pt matar ou morrer (desperate effort) · fr marche ou crève (desperate effort) · mi ranga mārō (desperate effort) · es a matar o morir (desperate effort) · fr courir ou mourir (desperate effort) · hi करो या मरो (desperate effort)