List of English-language euphemisms for death
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This is a list of euphemisms for death and dying in the English language.
A euphemism is a common word or phrase intended to soften the harshness of a literal meaning. For example, most English speakers would understand the phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die," as well as to actually kick a bucket. Furthermore, they would understand when each meaning is being used in context. A euphemism is not to be confused with other figures of speech such as a metaphor, which invokes an image by use of implicit comparisons (e.g., "the man of steel" ); a simile, which invokes an image by use of explicit comparisons (e.g., "faster than a speeding bullet"); and hyperbole, which exaggerates an image beyond truthfulness (e.g., like "missed by a mile" ). Euphemisms are also not to be confused with proverbs, which are simple sayings that express a truth based on common sense or practical experience.
Most English-language idioms for death refer to the process of being buried, sleeping or at rest, or religious ideals of life after death, for example Christian heaven.[clarification needed] A list of euphemisms for death in the English language, in the past tense unless noted with a (Pr) for present:
- Go west (Pr) [UK]
- Kicked the bucket
- Passed away / Passed on / Moved on
- Pop one's clogs (Pr) [UK]
- Pushing up daises (Pr)
- Sleeping with the fishes
- Croaked
- Six feet under
- Joined the church triumphant
- Taken a dirt nap
- Gone to heaven / Went to heaven
- Gone home / Went home
- Expired
- Breathed their last [breath]
- Succumbed
- Left us / Left this world / Left this mortal coil
- Lost
- Met their maker
- Wasted
- Checked out
- Crossed the Bar
- various forms of Eternal rest / Everlasting peace
- Was a goner
- Came to an end
- Bit the dust / Returned to dust
- Annihilated
- Liquidated
- Terminated
- Gave up the ghost
- Snuffed out
- Went to a new life
- In the Great Beyond
- No longer with us
- Made the Change
- On the other side
- God took them
- Departed
- Transcended
- Bought the farm
- With the angels / Carried away by the angels
- Feeling no pain
- Lost the race
- Time was up
- Crashed in
- Crossed over Jordan
- Was done in
- In glory
- Withered away
- Gave it up
- Has stood his/her last watch
- A/The long sleep
- Heavenly shores
- Found whatever is next
- Out of their misery
- Promoted to Glory
- Ended it all
- Resting in peace
- Changed form
- Dropped the body
- Rode into the sunset
- That was all they wrote
- Withdrew to more favorable frontiers
See also[edit]
Further reading[edit]
- Wiktionary's category of death-related euphemisms.
References[edit]
- ^ "Death - Hamza Yusuf - YouTube [23:28]". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-01-05.