or else

phrase

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

But when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Neve, she is forced to compromise every legal, moral, and ethical obligation to gain an acquittal — or else risk her dark secrets being exposed. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 July 2026

The go-getter woman needs a better alibi, or else to quit telling stories. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

England will have to figure out a way to solve him, or else its World Cup run will end Saturday. — Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

When the Ku Klux Klan burned crosses on the lawn of other beach neighbors, the only Jewish family in town, my dad tracked down the local Klan leader and told him to back off, or else. — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026