do or die

• do-or-die
• either do or die

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

do or die (third-person singular simple present does or dies, present participle doing or dying, simple past did or died, past participle done or died)

1. (idiomatic) To act with sufficient urgency to result in either immediate success or immediate failure.
   • 1621 (first literary attestation), John Fletcher, The Island Princess act 2.scene 2:

     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.

   • 1793, Robert Burns, Robert Bruce's March To Bannockburn 6th stanza.4th line:

     Lay the proud Usurpers low! / Tyrants fall in every foe! / Liberty's in every blow! / Let us do or die!

   • 1942, Mahatma Gandhi, Address before the A.I.C.C. at Bombay on 08/08/1942, 8th paragraph at the beginning:

     Here is a mantra, a short one, that I give you. You may imprint it on your hearts and let every breath of yours give expression to it. The mantra is : ‘Do or Die’. We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery.

An adjectival phrase composed of the words: do, or, and die.

do or die (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Requiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.
   • 1996 October 14, “Clinton v. Dole: Let the Debates Begin”, in Time:

     Clinton and Dole brought different needs to the debate. For Dole it was do or die. He had to hit Clinton hard but without seeming harsh, a conundrum for him all year.