PhrasesHub

Over my dead body

    Definitions

      • refuse to allow something
        Express strong resistance or opposition to something, indicating that it will only happen if the speaker is dead

      • be very determined
        Emphasize the speaker's strong determination to prevent or oppose something

    Examples of Over my dead body

    • Sarah insisted that the company must invest in a new marketing strategy, but the CEO replied, "Over my dead body will we spend that kind of money on advertising."

      This idiom is used in this example to emphasize the strong opposition of the CEO to the idea of spending a large amount of money on marketing, implying that he is unwilling to consider it under any circumstances, even to the extent of refusing to continue living.

    • John told his wife that he would never let their teenage son have a motorcycle, to which she replied, "It's either a motorcycle or no car for him. Over my dead body will he not have a means of transportation."

      This idiom is used by the wife to indicate that she is absolutely determined to allow their son to have some form of transportation, whether it is a motorcycle, as he prefers, or some other alternative, even if it means forcing her husband to forego his own objections.

    • The teacher warned her students that there would be no exceptions to the final exam, saying, "Over my dead body will any of you get away with skipping it."

      In this example, the teacher uses this idiom to indicate that she will not allow any of her students to avoid taking the final exam, emphasizing her resolve to uphold the rules and expectations of her classroom.

    • The company's chief financial officer announced that there would be no additional funding for the project, stating, "Unless we find a way to cut expenses, over my dead body will we approve any more money for this initiative."

      Here, the CFO uses this idiom to convey his strong opposition to providing further financial support for the project, implying that he will not do so under any circumstances, unless some other way can be found to reduce costs.

    • Emily swore over her dead body that she would never let her best friend borrow her expensive designer dress for her younger sister's prom.

      This idiom means that Emily is absolutely against the idea of her friend borrowing her dress and is willing to go to great lengths to prevent it, even if it means never letting her friend borrow anything from her again. The phrase "over my dead body" is used to emphasize the strongness of Emily's feelings and her unwillingness to compromise on this matter. In essence, Emily is saying that she would rather die than allow her friend to borrow the dress.

    • My boss suggested that I should work over the weekend. But I replied, "Over my dead body will I work on weekends!"

      This example shows how the idiom "over my dead body" is used to express strong resistance or refusal to do something. It indicates that the person is not willing to do the suggested task, no matter what happens.

    • The teacher proposed taking an extra exam as a part of the coursework. But the student replied, "Over my dead body will I take any more exams!"

      Another variation of using the idiom "over my dead body" is to convey a strong sense of dislike or reluctance towards a particular activity.

    • The management suggested using a new software for our company's work. But I argued, "Over my dead body will I use that software. It's outdated and doesn't offer the features we need."

      This example illustrates how one can reinforce their argument by adding a further explanation as to why they vehemently oppose the suggested idea.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "over my dead body" is used to strongly refuse or oppose something. It can be used to express the speaker's determination to prevent a certain action or outcome, often in a dramatic or emphatic manner. The phrase is typically used in a figurative sense to convey extreme reluctance and resistance towards a particular situation or proposal.

    This idiom is often used in a confrontational or defiant manner, and it is commonly employed in situations where the speaker wants to make it clear that they will not allow something to happen under any circumstances. It can also be used to emphasize the speaker's unwavering resolve and determination to stand their ground.

    Overall, "over my dead body" is a powerful and assertive expression that conveys a strong sense of opposition and determination.

    Origin of "Over my dead body"

    The origin of the idiom "over my dead body" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. The phrase is often associated with dramatic and impassioned declarations of refusal or opposition, and it is likely that its origins lie in the use of dramatic language to convey strong emotions and convictions.

    The imagery of someone being so determined that they would only allow something to happen if they were dead is a powerful and vivid one, and it is likely that this imagery contributed to the popularity and longevity of the idiom. The phrase has since become a common and widely recognized expression in the English language, used to convey unwavering resistance and determination.