death

death [ deθ ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount the state of being dead:

It was clear that Sandra was very close to death.

bleed/starve/burn etc. to death: These people will starve to death unless they receive help soon.

stab/kick/beat etc. someone to death: Two of the prisoners were beaten to death by the guards.

escape/cheat death (=avoid being killed): They narrowly escaped death when their car skidded off the road.

the cause of death: The doctor said that the cause of death was brain damage.

a ) an occasion when someone dies:

the rising number of deaths on the roads every year

There has recently been a death in their family.

deaths from cancer/disease/traffic accidents etc.: The program is aimed at reducing the number of deaths from cancer.

2. ) singular the time when something ends or the fact that it ends:

death of: the death of apartheid in South Africa

spell the death of something (=cause the end of it): These regulations could spell the death of the industry.

a ) be in at the death (of something) INFORMAL to be present when something ends or someone suffers defeat, especially because you are pleased about it

at death's door INFORMAL

very sick and likely to die

do something to death

to do something so much that it becomes very boring

look/feel like death warmed over INFORMAL

to look or feel very sick

to death INFORMAL

very or very much:

be bored/scared/frightened/worried etc. to death: It went on for hours, we were all bored to death!

be sick to death of (=have seen, heard, or had so much of someone or something that you now hate them): I'm sick to death of people complaining all the time!

someone/something will be the death of me OFTEN HUMOROUS

used for saying that someone or something annoys, upsets, or worries you very much

you'll catch your death (of cold) SPOKEN

used for warning someone that if they go outside when it is cold or wet they will become sick

=> KISS OF DEATH, MATTER1