Being a teenager can be tough! Did you ever have a brother, sister, or a friend who borrowed something precious of yours and broke it, lost it, or never returned it? When this happened to me in my youth, I’d angrily swear that they could borrow my stuff again over my dead body! This, of course, meant never again. But after a while, I’d get over it and decide to forgive them. Have you ever been in a similar situation?
Dara covers more uses of this idiom in his latest video. Click the video below to watch.
Transcript
Over my dead body? Sounds creepy!
Over my dead body is a phrase which means I am strongly opposed to that plan. Basically, it means, “If you want to do that, you’re going to have to kill me first!”
Let’s see how we can use this phrase naturally:
- I don’t care how cute he is. We’re not getting another cat. We already have three cats and two dogs. No way! Over my dead body!
- A: I’m quitting school, Dad. I’m going to start a rock band, instead.
- B: Over my dead body you are! You’re 15 years old, and you’ll do as you’re told!
- A: Dad, I love him! And he loves me! And we’re going to get married!
- B: Over my dead body! You’re only 16! You’re too young to be making a decision like that!
So, there we are. Do you have a similar phrase in your language? If so, let us know in the comments section below.
Practice
Now, it’s your turn to try it out!
- Do you have a friend or family member who you’ve decided never to lend your clothes or your money to? Why? What happened?
- Was there ever a time you refused to meet someone or to go somewhere? What happened?
- Have you ever witnessed a stubborn person in school or your workplace who refused to do something they were asked to do? What happened?
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And if you want to gain a deeper understanding of English idioms, have a look at our online course Essential English Idioms!
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