PhrasesHub

Bucket list

    Definitions

      • list of goals or experiences to accomplish before one dies
        Referring to a list of activities, achievements, or experiences that a person wants to do or have before they die. Often used to encourage someone to live life to the fullest and not have any regrets.

      • list of tasks or items to be completed
        Describing a list of things that need to be done or accomplished. Can be used in a casual or formal setting, and often implies a sense of urgency or importance.

      • something that someone wants to do or have
        Expressing a desire or aspiration for something. Can refer to a specific goal or experience, or something more abstract like a state of mind or feeling.

    Examples of Bucket list

    • Lily's bucket list included visiting the Eiffel Tower and swimming with the sharks.

      A bucket list is a list of things a person wants to do before they die. Lily's bucket list includes two very different experiences, one in a busy city and the other in the ocean.

    • The actor checked skydiving off his bucket list during filming for his latest action movie.

      Buckets are used to carry water or other liquids, but the phrase "bucket list" doesn't refer to a physical list written on a bucket. It's just an expression used figuratively to describe a list of experiences people want to have before they die.

    • After graduating, Jane decided to take a gap year to backpack through Europe and check off some items on her bucket list.

      A gap year is a year off between high school and college or university that some students take to travel, learn new skills, and gain life experience. Jane's bucket list is a list of things she wants to do during her travels, like visiting famous landmarks and trying new foods.

    • The couple fulfilled their dream of hiking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and added another item to their growing bucket list.

      Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, and reaching the summit is an achievement that many people add to their bucket lists. The couple's first bucket list experience was climbing Kilimanjaro, and now they are already thinking of more things they want to do. A growing bucket list suggests that the person has a lot of ambition and a desire for adventure.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "bucket list" is a popular phrase that can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It is often associated with creating a list of goals or experiences to accomplish before dying, but can also refer to a list of tasks or things to do in general. Additionally, it can express a desire or aspiration for something.

    Regardless of the specific meaning, the underlying intention of the idiom is to encourage someone to live life to the fullest and not have any regrets. It can also be used to motivate someone to take action or prioritize their goals and desires.

    Origin of "Bucket list"

    The origin of the idiom "bucket list" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-20th century. One theory suggests that it may have derived from the phrase "kick the bucket," meaning to die. Another theory suggests that it may have come from the phrase "to kick the bucket down the list," which referred to the practice of creating a list of tasks or goals and crossing them off as they were completed.

    The idiom gained widespread popularity in 2007 with the release of the film "The Bucket List," starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. In the film, the two characters create a list of things to do before they die, inspiring the phrase to become more mainstream.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has become a well-known and widely used phrase, often used in a lighthearted or encouraging manner. It serves as a reminder to live life to the fullest and make the most of our time on earth.