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over my dead body
/ˈoʊvɚ maɪ dɛd ˈbɑdi/◆idiom
absolute refusal
You'll never convince me to sell the house over my dead body.
The speaker strongly refuses to sell the house under any circumstances.
informal
An emphatic refusal to allow something to happen, often implying that the speaker would rather die than permit it.
If you think I'm letting you date my daughter, you can forget it—over my dead body!
The parent strongly opposes the idea of their daughter dating someone.
The CEO declared that the company would never merge over his dead body.
The CEO is vehemently against the idea of a merger.
This phrase is often used hyperbolically to express extreme opposition.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use this phrase in informal, emotional contexts where you want to emphasize strong opposition.
Gold Rule
Hyperbolic Nature
Remember that this phrase is often hyperbolic and not meant to be taken literally.
Word Origin
The phrase likely originated in the 19th century as a dramatic way to express unwavering opposition, playing on the idea of death as the ultimate sacrifice.
Usage Notes
This phrase is informal and often used in emotional or heated discussions. It is not typically used in formal or professional settings.
English Dictionary