fall on sword



fall on one's sword

 
1. Lit. to fall down and be penetrated by one's own sword, accidentally or on purpose. He tripped and fell on his sword.
2. Fig. to accept defeat; to go to extremes to indicate one's defeat. (From the ancient practice of a military commander committing suicide this way rather than being captured.) So, because I lost the contract, I am supposed to fall on my sword or something?
See also: fall, on, sword

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Vinh-Vietnamese
Karekin-Armenian
Pankrati-Russian
Effie (2)EF-eeScottish
NiiloNEE:-loFinnish
Marged-Welsh