List of English-language euphemisms for death

This is a list of euphemisms for death and dying in the English language.

A euphemism is a common word or phrase intended to soften the harshness of a literal meaning. For example, most English speakers would understand the phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die," as well as to actually kick a bucket. Furthermore, they would understand when each meaning is being used in context. A euphemism is not to be confused with other figures of speech such as a metaphor, which invokes an image by use of implicit comparisons (e.g., "the man of steel" ); a simile, which invokes an image by use of explicit comparisons (e.g., "faster than a speeding bullet"); and hyperbole, which exaggerates an image beyond truthfulness (e.g., like "missed by a mile" ). Euphemisms are also not to be confused with proverbs, which are simple sayings that express a truth based on common sense or practical experience.

Most English-language idioms for death refer to the process of being buried, sleeping or at rest, or religious ideals of life after death, for example Christian heaven.

A list of euphemisms for death in the English language, in the past tense unless noted with a (Pr) for present:


 * Go west (Pr) [UK]
 * Kicked the bucket
 * Passed away / Passed on / Moved on
 * Pop one's clogs (Pr) [UK]
 * Pushing up daises (Pr)
 * Sleeping with the fishes
 * Croaked
 * Six feet under
 * Joined the church triumphant
 * Taken a dirt nap
 * Gone to heaven / Went to heaven
 * Gone home / Went home
 * Expired
 * Breathed their last [breath]
 * Succumbed
 * Left us / Left this world / Left this mortal coil
 * Lost
 * Met their maker
 * Wasted
 * Checked out
 * Crossed the Bar
 * various forms of Eternal rest / Everlasting peace
 * Was a goner
 * Came to an end
 * Bit the dust / Returned to dust
 * Annihilated
 * Liquidated
 * Terminated
 * Gave up the ghost
 * Snuffed out
 * Went to a new life
 * In the Great Beyond
 * No longer with us
 * Made the Change
 * On the other side
 * God took them
 * Departed
 * Transcended
 * Bought the farm
 * With the angels / Carried away by the angels
 * Feeling no pain
 * Lost the race
 * Time was up
 * Crashed in
 * Crossed over Jordan
 * Was done in
 * In glory
 * Withered away
 * Gave it up
 * Has stood his/her last watch
 * A/The long sleep
 * Heavenly shores
 * Found whatever is next
 * Out of their misery
 * Promoted to Glory
 * Ended it all
 * Resting in peace
 * Changed form
 * Dropped the body
 * Rode into the sunset
 * That was all they wrote
 * Withdrew to more favorable frontiers