PhrasesHub

To bite the dust

    Definitions

      • die or be defeated
        To refer to someone or something dying or being defeated in a figurative sense, often in a battle or competition

      • fail or come to an end
        To describe the end of something, such as a project, plan, or career, often in a negative or unsuccessful way

    Examples of To bite the dust

    • The old car finally bit the dust after years of neglect and disuse.

      This means that the car has stopped functioning and has become unusable due to lack of maintenance and care. The phrase "bite the dust" originated from soldiers falling to the ground and dying, with their faces touching the dust.

    • The outdated technology bit the dust when the company failed to keep up with the rapidly changing industry.

      In this example, "bite the dust" is used figuratively to describe the failure of the technology due to its inability to adapt to the trends and demands of the market. This idiom is often used to convey that something has reached the end of its life cycle or has become obsolete.

    • The political career of the corrupt official came to an end when he was accused of accepting bribes and was forced to resign. His future now seems bleak as prospects for a comeback appear to be slim.

      This example illustrates the use of "bite the dust" in a metaphorical sense to describe the end of someone's political career or popularity due to a significant scandal or misconduct.

    • The business venture that once seemed promising finally bit the dust as the financial crisis escalated, leaving the investors with heavy losses.

      This example explores the use of "bite the dust" in an economic context, where the failure of a business or investment is comparable to the death of a soldier on the battlefield, as both events are sudden and final.

    • The old car finally bit the dust after years of neglect.

      To say that the old car "bit the dust" is a way of saying that it has finally stopped working or has completely broken down. The idiom "bite the dust" comes from a military tradition where soldiers would fall to the ground, face down, before an execution. Over time, "biting the dust" has come to mean to die or to fail completely.

    • The company's new product line failed to make a dent in the market and bit the dust.

      To say that the company's new product line "bit the dust" means that it was not successful and did not have any impact on the market. The idiom "biting the dust" is often used to describe a complete failure or defeat.

    • After a long and grueling election campaign, the losing candidate gracefully accepted defeat and bid the dust.

      The idiom "bid the dust" is a variation of "bite the dust" that is used to describe someone who has lost or failed, but is still able to accept the outcome gracefully. In this example, the losing candidate has accepted defeat and moved on.

    • The old tradition of handwritten letters finally bit the dust as more and more people turn to email and social media.

      This example uses the idiom to describe the gradual replacement of one thing by another. In this case, the traditional practice of sending handwritten letters is being replaced by more modern methods of communication like email and social media.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "to bite the dust" can be used to describe both literal and figurative endings, whether it be death, defeat, failure, or the end of something. It is often used in a dramatic or negative context, emphasizing the finality and sometimes the abruptness of the outcome.

    Origin of "To bite the dust"

    The origin of the idiom "to bite the dust" dates back to ancient times, specifically to battles and warfare. It is believed to have originated from the practice of soldiers falling in battle and literally biting the dust as they hit the ground. Over time, the phrase evolved to be used figuratively to describe any kind of defeat or failure. The idiom has been used in literature and popular culture for centuries, and it continues to be a widely recognized expression in the English language. Its vivid imagery and dramatic connotations make it a powerful way to convey the idea of coming to an end, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense.