[bite] the dust
1
to completely fail, lose, or stop functioning
2
to die or no longer exist
The idiom "bite the dust" is believed to have originated from the Old West during the 19th century, particularly in reference to gunfights and battles. It evokes the image of someone falling to the ground, often in death, and literally biting the dust of the earth as a result of a gunshot wound or some other lethal force. Over time, the expression has evolved to signify someone's demise or defeat in a broader sense, not limited to gunfights.
- The old gunslinger faced off with the outlaw, and the outlaw was the one who bit the dust.
- After a long and courageous battle with cancer, she finally bit the dust, leaving her family in mourning.
- The once-mighty empire gradually crumbled and eventually bit the dust, giving way to new nations.
- In the intense competition, our team's hopes of victory bit the dust when they were outperformed by a rival team.
- The ambitious business venture ultimately bit the dust due to a lack of funding and support.