bite the dust

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to fail or come to an end; to die

Why this phrase?

A fallen soldier is pictured biting the dust of the ground; the phrase extends from death to any collapse or failure.

Example

“Another promising startup has bitten the dust this quarter.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

call it a day Informal · CEFR B1

To decide to stop working on something for now.

end of story Informal · CEFR B1

used to say that there is nothing more to add or discuss

go downhill Neutral · CEFR B1

to become progressively worse in condition, quality, or performance

miss the boat Informal · CEFR B1

To lose a chance to do something by being too slow or late.

back to square one Neutral · CEFR B2

to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed

back to the drawing board Neutral · CEFR B2

to start planning or designing again after an idea or attempt has failed

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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