ENENENEN
FR
ES
RU
IT
TR
UKbe the death of sb
/biː ðə dˈɛθ ɒv ˌɛsbˈiː/
/biː ðə dˈɛθ ʌv ˌɛsbˈiː/to be the death of sb
[PHRASE]
![to [be] the death of {sb} definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/42588/original/ "to [be] the death of {sb} definition and meaning")
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.
2
to greatly upset, frustrate, or bring about harmful outcomes that can destroy or ruin a person or thing
Examples
1. Like I'm not really knowledgeable in medical vocabulary and finger spelling is the death of me.
2. I worry that his drug addiction will be the death of him.
3. Those kids will be the death of me!
4. You'll be the death of me!
more