bite the dust
BITE thuh DUST
/baɪt ðə dʌst/
To fail, to be defeated, or (informally) to die.
Often used for objects that break or projects that are cancelled, as well as people who lose.
The story behind the word. This is an ancient image. In Homer's 'Iliad', fallen warriors are described as falling to the earth and 'seizing the ground with their teeth'. To bite the dust is to fall face-first in defeat.
Word relationships
- fail: 'Fail' is the literal meaning, but 'bite the dust' is more dramatic and visual.
- prevail: To prevail is to win or overcome, the opposite of falling in defeat.
Commonly confused with
- kick the bucket: 'Kick the bucket' is specifically about dying; 'bite the dust' can mean dying or just failing.
Collocations
- another one bites the dust
- finally bite the dust
- watch them bite the dust
Example sentences
- "My old laptop finally bit the dust after ten years of service." Technology
- "Another contender bites the dust in this week's elimination round." Competition
Memory hook
Imagine a cowboy falling off his horse and landing face-down in the dirt. Face in the dirt.
When not to use
Be careful using it for death; it is very informal and can be seen as disrespectful.
Fun facts
- The phrase was immortalized in the 1980 hit song by the rock band Queen.
Related words
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