better dead than red

better dead than red

A Cold War-era slogan opposing the Communist Party (denoted by the color red). I can't believe you're supporting the Communists now! Better dead than red, I always say! "Better dead than red"? Your generation really preferred nuclear war to Communism? If you're sympathetic to the Communist party, you better keep it quiet. "Better red than dead" is the philosophy around here.

See also: better, dead, red

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

better dead than red

the prospect of nuclear war is preferable to that of a Communist society.

This expression was a cold-war slogan; it was reversed by the nuclear disarmament campaigners of the late 1950s as better red than dead .

See also: better, dead, red

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017