caught dead, wouldn't be

wouldn't be caught dead (doing something)

Would never do the thing being discussed; would be horribly ashamed or embarrassed to do something. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that shirt. You can burn it for all I care. She had always said she wouldn't be caught dead working for that company, but I guess everyone has their price.

See also: caught, dead

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

caught dead, wouldn't be

Also, wouldn't be seen dead. Would have nothing to do with, detest, as in I wouldn't be caught dead in that outfit, or He'd not be seen dead drinking a cheap wine. This hyperbole is always put negatively. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

See also: caught

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.