dying



be dying for (something)

To be desperately longing or hoping for something. I'm dying for a chance to introduce myself—he's one of my favorite actors! It's so bloody hot out, I'm dying for a cold drink.
See also: dying

dying wish

A final wish, desire, or request made shortly before one dies. Her dying wish was to have her ashes scattered at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
See also: dying, wish

die for want of lobster sauce

To literally die or to be devastated due to a minor inconvenience or mishap. The phrase is thought to refer to a chef who committed suicide after discovering that he didn't have the ingredients to make lobster sauce for a banquet for King Louis XIV. I know you're really upset about not getting the lead in the school play, but I think you dying for want of lobster sauce—I mean, you still got a great role!
See also: die, of, sauce, want

die like Roland

To die from hunger or thirst. The phrase refers to Roland, a legendary French hero who is thought to have survived the battle of Roncesvalles, only to die of starvation and thirst while crossing the Pyrenees in 778 CE. Come on, man, if we don't stop for food and drinks soon, I'm going to die like Roland! A: "Can't you hear my stomach growling?" B: "All right, all right, we'll take a dinner break so you don't die like Roland!"
See also: die, like, Roland

die for someone or something

 
1. Lit. to perish for the benefit or glory of someone or something. He said he was willing to die for his country. She would die for her child if necessary.
2. Fig. to experience great physical or emotional desire for someone or something. He was just dying for Jane, but she would have nothing to do with him. Freddie was dying for a glass of water—he was so thirsty.
See also: die

dying to do something

Fig. very eager to do something. I'm just dying to go sailing in your new boat. After a long hot day like this one, I'm just dying for a cool drink.
See also: dying

dying to know (something)

Fig. very eager to know something. I'm just dying to know how your weekend went.
See also: dying, know

die for

Also, be dying for. Long for, desire excessively, as in I'm dying for some ice cream. This hyperbolic usage dates from the late 1500s. Also see die to.
See also: die

die to

Also, be dying to. Long greatly to do something, as in I'm dying to go to Alaska. [c. 1700] Also see die for.
See also: die

dying

see under die.

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Shyla-English (Modern)
Hiezecihel-Biblical Latin
IwoEE-vawPolish
Ping-Chinese
DallasDAL-əsEnglish
Borna-Croatian