do-or-die
adjective
ˈdü-ər-ˈdī 
-ȯr-
1
: doggedly determined to reach one's objective : indomitable
2
: presenting as the only alternatives complete success or complete ruin
a do-or-die situation
Synonyms
Examples of do-or-die in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The do-or-die rivalry between President Yoon Suk Yeol and the opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, whose party holds the majority in the National Assembly, has made the elections as fraught with fear and resentment as any in South Korean history.
—
Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Back then, Golden State had reasonable hopes of escaping the do-or-die play-in round.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Related article Players Championship: Ben Silverman spent all morning practicing one do-or-die shot.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
His wife saw the funny side Before the sun had even risen, the 36-year-old was out on the course’s driving range with his wedge, sending shot after shot towards a flag in a dress rehearsal of the do-or-die attempt to come.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024
All this is part of a do-or-die task for the quintessential American department store under a brand-new CEO.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 27 Feb. 2024
Barca is attempting to make up ground on Madrid in the title race and also has a do-or-die meeting with Napoli in the Champions League last 16 on the horizon.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report gives the Warriors an 86.4% chance at claiming a seed between seven and 10, which would put them at risk of playing do-or-die games to earn a standard playoff series.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024
The sensational rookie quarterback finished off an impressive regular season with an outstanding performance in a 23-19 do-or-die win at Indianapolis on Saturday night.
—Rob Maaddi, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024
Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Back then, Golden State had reasonable hopes of escaping the do-or-die play-in round.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024
Related article Players Championship: Ben Silverman spent all morning practicing one do-or-die shot.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024
His wife saw the funny side Before the sun had even risen, the 36-year-old was out on the course’s driving range with his wedge, sending shot after shot towards a flag in a dress rehearsal of the do-or-die attempt to come.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024
All this is part of a do-or-die task for the quintessential American department store under a brand-new CEO.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 27 Feb. 2024
Barca is attempting to make up ground on Madrid in the title race and also has a do-or-die meeting with Napoli in the Champions League last 16 on the horizon.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report gives the Warriors an 86.4% chance at claiming a seed between seven and 10, which would put them at risk of playing do-or-die games to earn a standard playoff series.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024
The sensational rookie quarterback finished off an impressive regular season with an outstanding performance in a 23-19 do-or-die win at Indianapolis on Saturday night.
—Rob Maaddi, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'do-or-die.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Do-or-die.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-or-die. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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