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
After managing Paul’s minutes throughout the season to keep him fresh, the Warriors only played him 18 minutes in their do-or-die game in Sacramento.
—
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
For any team looking to win a national title, the prospect of winning six consecutive games over three weekends in a do-or-die environment seems beyond stress-inducing.
—NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
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
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
For any team looking to win a national title, the prospect of winning six consecutive games over three weekends in a do-or-die environment seems beyond stress-inducing.
—NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near do-or-die
Cite this Entry
“Do-or-die.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-or-die. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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