wouldn't be caught dead

wouldn't be caught/seen dead  (informal)

if someone wouldn't be seen dead in a particular place or doing a particular thing, they would never do it, usually because it would be too embarrassing (often + adv/prep ) John's dad won't go to the christening, he wouldn't be seen dead in a church. (often + doing sth) Chris wouldn't be seen dead driving a Lada.

See cut dead, Drop dead!, knock them/'em dead

See also: caught, dead