Definition & Meaning of "be the death of somebody "in English

to be the death of somebody

PHRASE

to cause extreme worry, distress, or discomfort for others

to [be] the death of {sb} definition and meaning

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "be the death of someone" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "be the death of someone" can be traced back to the 17th century. The phrase draws on the concept of something being so burdensome or aggravating that it metaphorically leads to a person's demise or extreme frustration. This expression can be used when discussing interpersonal conflicts, troublesome situations, or persistent irritations that have a detrimental effect on someone's well-being.

Examples

That boy will be the death of me with all his reckless stunts.

to greatly upset, frustrate, or bring about harmful outcomes that can destroy or ruin a person or thing

Idiom

Informal

Examples

The constant financial mismanagement proved to be the death of their business, leading to its ultimate closure.