to die for

USAGE SUMMARY

"to die for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is particularly attractive, delicious, or desirable in some way. For example, "This risotto is to die for!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's to die for.

The New York Times

The sunsets there are to die for.

The New York Times - Travel

His salary is still to die for.

The New York Times - Sports

(Full disclosure: it was to die for).

The New York Times

A back catalogue to die for 1.

Independent

Great value to die for".

The Guardian - Business

And its baklava is to die for.

The Guardian

"It's called 'A Body to Die For.' ".

The New York Times - Style

Her massages are to die for.

The Guardian - Travel

The guacamole is to die for.

The Guardian - Travel

Believe me, they are to die for.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to die for" to describe qualities that evoke strong positive emotions or desires, such as describing a decadent dessert or a breathtaking view.

Common error

Avoid using "to die for" in serious or somber contexts where its hyperbolic nature could be perceived as insensitive or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to die for" functions as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it is extremely desirable or impressive. Ludwig examples show it describing desserts, views, and even personal qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to die for" is a common idiom used as an adjective to describe something extremely desirable or impressive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in News & Media contexts. While the phrase effectively conveys enthusiasm, it's best reserved for informal settings. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "utterly divine" or "exceptionally wonderful". As Ludwig examples illustrate, "to die for" is appropriate when describing anything from delectable desserts to breathtaking vistas, provided the context aligns with its informal and hyperbolic nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely exquisite

Highlights the refined and delicate nature of something, making it intensely desirable.

incredibly desirable

Directly states the high level of wanting or needing something.

utterly divine

Replaces "to die for" with an adjective suggesting something exceptionally pleasant and heavenly.

remarkably appealing

Stresses the attractive and interesting qualities of something.

supremely attractive

Indicates a very high degree of attractiveness.

irresistible

Single-word adjective that describes something compelling and tempting.

unbelievably good

Emphasizes the exceptionally high quality, exceeding expectations.

exceptionally wonderful

Highlights the outstanding and delightful nature of something.

simply the best

A straightforward expression indicating unparalleled quality or desirability.

worth coveting

Suggests that something is so good that it is worth wanting jealously.

FAQs

How can I use "to die for" in a sentence?

Use "to die for" to describe something extremely desirable. For example, "That chocolate cake is "to die for"!"

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to die for"?

You can use alternatives like "irresistible", "utterly divine", or "absolutely exquisite" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "to die for" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "to die for" is generally considered informal. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "exceptionally wonderful" or "remarkably appealing" in formal contexts.

Can "to die for" be used for both tangible and intangible things?

Yes, "to die for" can describe both tangible items (e.g., "This car is "to die for"!") and intangible qualities (e.g., "The view from the summit is "to die for"!").