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Definition

To act with sufficient urgency to result in either immediate success or immediate failure.

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Origins

An ultimatory verbal phrase composed of the words: either, do, or, and die.

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In Context

  • "Emanuel: Bless us, dear Fortune! / Armusia: Let us be worthy of it in our courage, and Fortune must befriend us. Come, all sever; but keep still within sight: when the flame rises let's meet, and either do or die."
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Related Idioms

d

do well by doing good

To achieve social acceptance or financial success as a result of behav…

 h

have the last laugh

To be vindicated; to triumph despite predicted failure; to find succes…

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run hot and cold

To alternate between two opposite extremes, such as enthusiasm and dis…

 b

better luck next time

Used to wish somebody hope in future success after a failure.

 n

no joy

A negative outcome; no success; a failure.

 t

twist in the wind

To be unassisted and without comfort in a situation likely to result i…
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