or else

idiom

1

—used to say what will happen if something is not done

You have to leave or else you will be arrested for trespassing.

2

—used to say what another possibility is

He either thinks he can't do it or else he just isn't interested.

3

informal

—used in angry speech to express a threat without saying exactly what the threat is

Do what I say or else!

Examples of or else in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Next 10, Aon Swing 5, or else hold onto the hope of a sponsor’s exemption. —Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Burchett also argued that President Donald Trump could not have been implicated in the Epstein files, as Elon Musk alleged, or else the Biden administration would have presented the information. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 10 July 2025

Under the rule, any tax cut that adds to the deficit beyond a decade must be offset or else it is not permitted in the Senate. —Thomas Kahn, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025

The letters warned both countries to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would further increase tariffs. —Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025