Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

WHAT IS the meaning of the idiom ``to bite the dust''?

This is an expression that was made popular by old cowboy movies. When you say that someone has bitten the dust, it implies that he/she is dead. It is an expression that is normally used in informal contexts. Do not walk into someone's house and say, ``I understand that your father bit the dust yesterday. I am so sorry.'' Here are a few examples.
* The hero fired the gun and another villain bit the dust.
* When she was diagnosed with cancer, Paroma turned to the doctor and said that she was too young to bite the dust.
* I don't think the old man next door will ever bite the dust.
When referring to things, ``to bite the dust'' means ``to break or to fail''. This is the sense in which the expression is used most often these days.
* Another one of Promod's plans bit the dust.
* Balakrishna's old scooter bit the dust yesterday.
* Dolly's attempt to become the next Vice President bit the dust.
The rock group ``Queen'' has a song called ``Another one bites the dust''.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001