fate worse than death, a



fate worse than death, a

A highly undesirable occurrence, a misfortune, as in Dean thinks driving daily during rush hour is a fate worse than death. Formerly applied quite seriously to a woman's loss of virginity, this idiom today is used hyperbolically and far more loosely. [1600s]
See also: fate, worse

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Carpenter['ka:pəntə]
Isocrates-Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Edgar['edgə]
Sarangerelsah-RAHN-ge-relMongolian
Abhilasha-Indian, Hindi
Inannai-NAH-naNear Eastern Mythology