do or die
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to put in great effort and take great risks to succeed or to fail trying
The idiom "do or die" likely originated from military contexts, particularly in times of war or high-stakes missions, where soldiers faced life-or-death situations and had to make choices with no room for hesitation. It is used to emphasize the high stakes involved and the commitment to achieving a goal under extreme pressure.
- With the championship on the line, the athlete knew it was do or die in the final race of the season.
- The team faced a critical project deadline, and it was a do-or-die situation to complete it on time.
- In a fiercely competitive market, the company adopted a do-or-die attitude to secure its position.
- The students had to adopt a do-or-die mindset to excel in the demanding entrance exams for the prestigious university.
- The negotiators realized it was a do-or-die moment to reach a consensus and avoid a prolonged conflict.