bites the dust

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformalhumorous

   Fails, breaks or comes to an end, usually in a sudden or final way.

   Grammar: The subject is a thing or plan: another toaster bites the dust.

   Patterns

   • something bites the dust

   Another smartphone bites the dust every time he drops it.

   The old coffee machine finally bites the dust this morning.

   Their plan to launch early bites the dust after funding falls through.

2. 2phraseidiominformalhumorous

   Dies or is killed, especially in a fight or story.

   Grammar: Informal and often humorous: the villain bites the dust.

   Patterns

   • someone bites the dust

   In the final scene, the villain bites the dust.

   Another character bites the dust in the second episode.

   The old tree bites the dust after the storm.

Word forms

Common combinations

another one bites the dust

Another one bites the dust, said Sam as the plate broke.

finally bit the dust

The old car finally bit the dust.

bite the dust in the first round

The champion bit the dust in the first round.

projects bite the dust

Many projects bite the dust in tough years.

about to bite the dust

My laptop is about to bite the dust.

Synonyms and how they differ

fails

Fails is neutral and plain, while bites the dust adds a dramatic, humorous flavor.

gives up the ghost

Gives up the ghost is similar but is often used for dying or machines stopping, and sounds more literary.

kicks the bucket

Kicks the bucket refers almost only to death and is more jokey than bites the dust.

collapses

Collapses describes falling down or breaking, and lacks the colloquial, slightly comic tone.

Opposites

Word family

dust noun

fine powder of dirt

dusty adjective

covered in dust

bite verb

to cut with the teeth

Commonly confused: bites the dust or leaves in the dust?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “bites the dust”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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