die for

die for (someone or something)

1. To die in order to save or help someone else. I would die for my wife if it would save her from danger. I think most parents would die for their kids if it came down to it. I can't believe that complete stranger jumped in front of the shooter and died for me!

2. To die for a particular cause or thing. How devoted are you to your religious beliefs? Are you willing to die for them? If we have to take up weapons and fight them, I would do it. I would die for the land that's rightfully ours. Most people won't die for their beliefs, only argue passionately in favor of them.

3. To desire or long for someone or something in particular. Always used in the continuous tense. I'm just dying for a nap—I can hardly keep my eyes open. I'm dying to sit down and get off my broken foot, but it's rush hour, and the bus is completely jam-packed. Where can I refill my water bottle? It's so hot out here that I'm just dying for a drink.

See also: die, for

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

die for someone or something

 

1. Lit. to perish for the benefit or glory of someone or something. He said he was willing to die for his country. She would die for her child if necessary.

2. Fig. to experience great physical or emotional desire for someone or something. He was just dying for Jane, but she would have nothing to do with him. Freddie was dying for a glass of water—he was so thirsty.

See also: die, for

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

die for

Also, be dying for. Long for, desire excessively, as in I'm dying for some ice cream. This hyperbolic usage dates from the late 1500s. Also see die to.

See also: die, for

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.