dead on the morrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dead on the morrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in literary or poetic contexts to indicate that someone will die the next day. Example: "He knew that if he did not find a cure, he would be dead on the morrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dead on the morrow, he didn't get to see them.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One of the most depressing ways of ending the day is to know that on the morrow you're going to see a film based on one of them.

The Guardian - Film

With what light remained, Buford rode the countryside about, getting the lay of the land and visualizing what was to come on the morrow.

The New York Times

In 1748, on the morrow of Aix-la-Chapelle, an occasion for French interference occurred with the death of the aged Niẓām al-Mulk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A coordinated procession of business leaders on to the BBC to declare their withdrawal from Scotland on the morrow of a yes vote.

The Guardian

Two men in their mid-30's sipped on bottles of beer and casually discussed which bait would work best on the morrow.

The New York Times - Sports

Tommy and Maura lived for today because you could never predict what would happen on the morrow, so you couldn't, even though it invariably turned out you could.

The Guardian - Books

The lovely "Song About the Partridge," with its memorable tune and its whistle interludes, begins with an exhortation: "Hey, huntsman, tell the lads to get up on the morrow.

The New York Times - Arts

They returned on the morrow to complete the contest, with John McEnroe and Michael Stick eventually triumphing in the 36th game of the decisive set, winning 5-7,7-6 5-7,7-6 5-7,7-67.

The Guardian - Sport

On the morrow, God sent a shaft of pure white light down from on high to Number 576 Tenth Street, N. W., and sucked his immortal soul up to the Public Thing of heaven.

The New Yorker

Bitter pangs filled my heart and thought I would rather die on the morrow mother and sisters and brother all would leave me alone in this wide world to battle with temptations trials and hardship.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dead on the morrow", be aware that it carries a formal, somewhat archaic tone. Reserve its use for contexts where this tone is appropriate, such as historical fiction, fantasy writing, or when deliberately trying to evoke a sense of old-fashioned speech.

Common error

Avoid using "dead on the morrow" in modern, informal settings. The phrase's archaic quality can sound unnatural or unintentionally humorous in contemporary contexts. Opt for more common alternatives like "dead by tomorrow" or "will die tomorrow" for clarity and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dead on the morrow" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person) to indicate their impending death by the following day. Ludwig confirms its existence in literary and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dead on the morrow" is a grammatically correct but archaic way to express that someone will die by the next day. Ludwig examples and alternatives highlight its formal tone, making it more appropriate for historical or fictional contexts rather than modern conversation. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its presence in news, encyclopedias and wiki with a rare frequency. Remember to use it judiciously, considering its impact on the overall tone of your writing and replace it with modern alternatives if necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dead by tomorrow

Replaces the archaic "on the morrow" with the more common "by tomorrow".

will die tomorrow

Directly states the death will occur the next day.

to die on the next day

A more formal way to say will die tomorrow

perish on the morrow

Uses 'perish' as a more formal synonym for 'die'.

meet one's end tomorrow

A euphemistic and slightly less direct way to express imminent death.

not long for this world

Suggests impending death without specifying the exact time.

breathing one's last tomorrow

A more poetic phrasing indicating the final day of life.

on death's doorstep by tomorrow

Implies a very near death experience within the specified timeframe.

facing imminent death by morning

Emphasizes the proximity of death and ties it to the morning.

destined to die tomorrow

Suggests fate or inevitability in regards to the death occurring the next day.

FAQs

What does "dead on the morrow" mean?

The phrase "dead on the morrow" means that someone will be dead by the next day. It's an archaic way of saying "dead by tomorrow".

How can I use "dead on the morrow" in a sentence?

You might use "dead on the morrow" in a historical novel or fantasy story. For instance, "The prophecy foretold that the king would be "dead on the morrow", leaving the kingdom in chaos."

What can I say instead of "dead on the morrow"?

You can use alternatives like "dead by tomorrow", "will die tomorrow", or "to perish on the next day" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "dead on the morrow" a common phrase?

"Dead on the morrow" is not a common phrase in contemporary English. It is more frequently found in older texts or historical fiction. Modern alternatives are generally preferred in everyday speech and writing.