19 Idioms for Death

Death is a delicate and often uncomfortable subject to discuss, but idioms about death can offer a more subtle, figurative way to talk about this inevitable part of life. These idioms capture various aspects of death, from the peaceful passing to the more abrupt or tragic end. Whether it’s a metaphor for the end of a journey or a colloquial way to express grief, these idioms help us navigate the emotional complexity of the topic.

In this article, you’ll discover 19 idioms for death, each offering a different perspective on mortality. By using these idioms, you can address the subject of death with sensitivity and creativity.

1. Kick the Bucket

Meaning: A lighthearted way to say someone has died.
In a Sentence:

• After a long and fulfilling life, the old man finally kicked the bucket.
• We used to joke about when he would kick the bucket, but now it’s a sad reality.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass away, die, meet one’s end

2. Bite the Dust

Meaning: Another colloquial way to refer to someone dying.
In a Sentence:

• The soldier bravely fought but eventually bit the dust in battle.
• After years of battling illness, he finally bit the dust.
  Other Ways to Say: Die, perish, succumb

3. Buy the Farm

Meaning: A euphemism for death, typically used to describe someone who has passed away.
In a Sentence:

• After the accident, he bought the farm on the way to the hospital.
• She lived a full life before she bought the farm peacefully in her sleep.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass away, meet one’s maker, shuffle off this mortal coil

4. Meet Your Maker

Meaning: A somewhat religious or spiritual idiom that implies someone has passed away and is meeting their creator.
In a Sentence:

• He was a good man, and now he’s finally met his maker.
• After a long illness, she met her maker and is now at peace.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass on, depart, ascend to heaven

5. Six Feet Under

Meaning: Refers to being buried, or in other words, being dead and buried in a grave.
In a Sentence:

• He’s been six feet under for over a decade now, but his memory lives on.
• After the long battle with cancer, she was laid six feet under.
  Other Ways to Say: Buried, deceased, resting in peace

6. Cross Over

Meaning: To pass from life to death, often implying a peaceful transition.
In a Sentence:

• After a long and painful illness, she finally crossed over into eternal rest.
• He lived a fulfilling life and peacefully crossed over in his sleep.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass away, transition, depart

7. Pass On

Meaning: A gentle way of referring to death, often used to describe someone who has died.
In a Sentence:

• His grandfather passed on quietly at home, surrounded by family.
• After a brave fight with cancer, she passed on peacefully.
  Other Ways to Say: Die, pass away, leave this world

8. Meet One’s End

Meaning: To die, especially as a result of an event or situation.
In a Sentence:

• The explorer met his end in the jungle, far from civilization.
• The hero met his end while saving others from a dangerous situation.
  Other Ways to Say: Die, meet one’s fate, perish

9. Take a Dirt Nap

Meaning: A casual and somewhat humorous way to refer to dying and being buried.
In a Sentence:

• After years of hard work, he finally took a dirt nap in his old age.
• The old legend says he took a dirt nap under the oak tree.
  Other Ways to Say: Die, rest in peace, sleep in the grave

10. Sleep Forever

Meaning: To die, with the imagery of eternal rest.
In a Sentence:

• After a long battle with illness, she finally fell asleep forever.
• The dog has been with us for years, and now it’s time for him to sleep forever.
  Other Ways to Say: Rest in peace, pass on, enter eternal rest

11. Go the Way of All Flesh

Meaning: To die, implying that death is a natural part of life for all living things.
In a Sentence:

• Eventually, everyone must go the way of all flesh, no matter how much we try to avoid it.
• After a long and meaningful life, he went the way of all flesh.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass away, die, meet one’s end

12. Kick the Bucket

Meaning: A lighthearted and informal way to refer to death.
In a Sentence:

• He kicked the bucket after a long and happy life.
• She kicked the bucket quietly in her sleep at the age of 90.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass away, die, depart

13. Shuffle Off This Mortal Coil

Meaning: A poetic way of saying to die, originally from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
In a Sentence:

• He finally shuffled off this mortal coil after a long battle with illness.
• She’s now at peace after she shuffled off this mortal coil.
  Other Ways to Say: Die, pass on, leave this world

14. Ride off Into the Sunset

Meaning: To end a journey, often used metaphorically for someone passing away peacefully.
In a Sentence:

• After a lifetime of hard work, he rode off into the sunset, leaving behind a legacy.
• The old cowboy rode off into the sunset, knowing his work was complete.
  Other Ways to Say: Depart, leave this world, end one’s journey

15. Meet One’s Maker

Meaning: A religious idiom referring to meeting God or the Creator after death.
In a Sentence:

• He was a kind man, and now he has met his maker.
• After a long and fruitful life, she met her maker peacefully in her sleep.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass away, depart, go to heaven

16. Slip Away

Meaning: To die quietly or peacefully, often in a calm or unnoticed manner.
In a Sentence:

• He slipped away in the middle of the night, surrounded by family.
• After months of illness, she slipped away quietly in her sleep.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass away, fade away, depart

17. Exit Stage Left

Meaning: A theatrical expression used to describe someone leaving the stage, often used humorously to refer to death.
In a Sentence:

• He exited stage left after a long and fulfilling life.
• The old actor exited stage left, his final performance complete.
  Other Ways to Say: Leave this world, pass on, die

18. Kick the Bucket

Meaning: An informal way to say someone has died.
In a Sentence:

• After a long, fulfilling life, the old man kicked the bucket last week.
• She kicked the bucket peacefully in her sleep after reaching the age of 95.
  Other Ways to Say: Pass away, die, meet one’s end

19. On the Other Side

Meaning: A euphemistic way to refer to the afterlife or death.
In a Sentence:

• He’s in a better place now, on the other side, where there’s no more pain.
• After his passing, she believes he is now on the other side, watching over her.
  Other Ways to Say: Passed away, in the afterlife, deceased

Fill in the blanks:

1. After years of illness, he finally _______________ peacefully in his sleep.
2. The legendary actor has passed away and is now _______________ after a long career.
3. After the tragic accident, the soldier _______________ in the line of duty.
4. The patient struggled for weeks, but eventually, he _______________ with his family by his side.
5. The old woman, after a full and peaceful life, has now _______________ in her sleep.
6. He was always the life of the party, but now he has _______________ and is no longer with us.
7. His passing was sudden, and he quietly _______________ without anyone noticing.
8. After a long, fulfilling life, she _______________ last night, surrounded by loved ones.
9. The noble knight, after his final battle, _______________ with honor.
10. He was a quiet man and _______________ after spending a long day with his family.
11. The country singer _______________ and left behind a legacy of music.
12. She had a peaceful death and _______________ after a long illness.
13. The general bravely fought in the war, but eventually, he _______________ during battle.
14. He was a man of great wisdom, and now he’s gone to _______________.
15. After a long career in show business, he _______________ and is remembered fondly by fans.
16. They say when someone dies, they go to _______________, where they are at peace.
17. After the war, the soldier _______________ from his injuries, leaving behind a legacy.
18. She lived a wonderful life and now has _______________ after years of great happiness.
19. After months of hardship, he finally _______________, free from pain.

Answer Key

1. o) Slip Away
2. m) Ride off Into the Sunset
3. h) Meet One’s End
4. f) Cross Over
5. j) Sleep Forever
6. e) Six Feet Under
7. o) Slip Away
8. g) Pass On
9. h) Meet One’s End
10. p) Exit Stage Left
11. r) On the Other Side
12. b) Bite the Dust
13. a) Kick the Bucket
14. d) Meet Your Maker
15. n) Meet One’s Maker
16. r) On the Other Side
17. p) Exit Stage Left
18. k) Go the Way of All Flesh
19. a) Kick the Bucket

Conclusion

Death, though an inevitable part of life, can be a difficult subject to approach. However, idioms related to death offer a more subtle, figurative way to talk about the end of life. These 19 idioms for death provide a range of expressions, from lighthearted to solemn, that help us discuss mortality in different contexts.

By understanding and using these idioms, you can talk about death in a more sensitive or creative way, whether you’re commemorating someone’s life, reflecting on their passing, or simply describing the natural course of life. These idioms help us express the inevitability of death and its emotional impact, all while offering a more poetic and sometimes humorous perspective on a topic that many find challenging to approach.

Whether you’re looking for a casual or respectful way to discuss death, these idioms provide a rich vocabulary to use, helping to make the conversation feel more approachable and less daunting.