never say die

nev·er say die

N n

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [nev-er sey dahy]
- /ˈnɛv ər seɪ daɪ/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [nev-er sey dahy]
- /ˈnɛv ər seɪ daɪ/

Definitions of never say die words

verb without object never say die to cease to live; undergo the complete and permanent cessation of all vital functions; become dead. 1
verb without object never say die (of something inanimate) to cease to exist: The laughter died on his lips. 1
verb without object never say die to lose force, strength, or active qualities: Superstitions die slowly. 1
verb without object never say die to cease to function; stop: The motor died. 1
verb without object never say die to be no longer subject; become indifferent: to die to worldly matters. 1
verb without object never say die to pass gradually; fade or subside gradually (usually followed by away, out, or down): The storm slowly died down. 1

See all 17 definitions of never say die

Information block about the term

Origin of never say die

First appearance:

before 1150

One of the 7% oldest English words

1150-1200; Middle English dien, deien < Old Norse deyja. Cf. dead, death

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Never say die

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Never say die

never say die popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

never say die usage trend in Literature

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Synonyms for never say die

verb never say die

bear the brunt — (Idiomatic) To endure the worst part of something.
carry through — If you carry something through, you do it or complete it, often in spite of difficulties.
grin and bear it — to suffer trouble or hardship without complaint
hang in — to fasten or attach (a thing) so that it is supported only from above or at a point near its own top; suspend.

All 14 Synonyms of never say die