bite the dust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bite the dust" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiom that means to fail or die, and is often used in a humorous way. For example, "We didn't think the test would be so hard—we all just bit the dust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

If that is so, does materialism bite the dust?

Princeton University

Another final salary scheme is about to bite the dust.

Independent

The remaining three of the Chancellor's boasts bite the dust.

Independent

Meanwhile, a Zeffirelli production -- "La Traviata" -- will bite the dust.

The New York Times

Is it time for Gareth Barry to bite the dust?

The Times

After five years, Merlin is about to bite the dust.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Another one bites the dust.

Independent

Some 37,000 bulls bit the dust.

The Economist

Sadly, the roof eventually bit the dust.

The New York Times

"Another one bites the dust," he says.

The New Yorker

Oh well, another one bites the dust.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bite the dust" when you want to describe a sudden or decisive failure, especially when the tone is somewhat lighthearted or informal. For a more serious or formal context, consider alternatives like "meet one's demise" or "cease to exist".

Common error

Avoid using "bite the dust" in highly formal or professional contexts. It's generally better suited for informal conversation, news reports, or creative writing. Using it in a business report or academic paper might come across as unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bite the dust" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's used to express the idea of failing, dying, or ceasing to exist, often in a sudden or decisive manner. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "bite the dust" is a widely recognized and frequently used phrase that signifies failure, defeat, or death. It's classified as an idiomatic verb phrase and is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig. While prevalent in News & Media, it maintains a neutral to informal tone. As per Ludwig's analysis, the expression effectively conveys a sense of finality or abrupt ending. To maintain an appropriate register, writers should consider alternatives like "meet one's demise" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kick the bucket

Similar meaning of dying, but more informal and often humorous.

meet one's demise

Focuses specifically on death or a fatal end, implying a more formal or serious tone than the original phrase.

cease to exist

Highlights the termination of being, emphasizing disappearance or extinction.

go belly up

Refers specifically to business failure or collapse, rather than physical death or general failure.

succumb to defeat

Emphasizes yielding or surrendering to a losing situation.

go under

Implies failure or collapse, often in a business or project context.

fail miserably

Highlights the thoroughness of the failure, implying a significant lack of success.

fall by the wayside

Suggests a gradual failure or abandonment of a plan or effort, less abrupt than "bite the dust".

be defeated

Directly states the condition of being overcome in a competition or conflict.

come to an end

General phrase indicating termination or cessation, applicable to various situations including death or failure.

FAQs

How can I use "bite the dust" in a sentence?

You can use "bite the dust" to describe something failing or dying. For example: "The old car finally "bit the dust" after 20 years" or "The company's profits "bit the dust" due to poor management".

What's the difference between "bite the dust" and "kick the bucket"?

Both phrases refer to dying, but "kick the bucket" is generally considered more informal and humorous than "bite the dust". "Bite the dust" can also refer to failing in a non-lethal context, like a project or a business.

What can I say instead of "bite the dust" to sound more formal?

If you need a more formal alternative to "bite the dust", consider phrases like "meet one's demise", "cease to exist", or "succumb to defeat" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "bites the dust" or "bit the dust"?

"Bites the dust" is the present tense, third-person singular form. "Bit the dust" is the past tense. The correct form depends on the tense of the sentence. For example: "The project bites the dust if we don't secure funding" versus "The project bit the dust when funding was withdrawn".