do-or-die

• do or die

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do-or-die (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Requiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.
   • 1959 February, A. G. Dunbar, “The "Dunalastair I" 4-4-0s of the Caledonian”, in Trains Illustrated, page 86:

     At that period the L.N.W.R., with its Webb compounds, was addicted to late arrivals at Carlisle and the Caledonian proceeded to make up the arrears with a "do-or-die" attitude.

   • 1996 October 14, “Clinton v. Dole: Let the Debates Begin”, in Time:

     Clinton and Dole brought different needs to the debate. For Dole it was do or die. He had to hit Clinton hard but without seeming harsh, a conundrum for him all year.

   • 2021 June 30, Farhad Manjoo, “Democrats Have a Year to Save the Planet”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN:

     This could be our do-or-die moment — with Democrats holding the White House and barely controlling Congress, this may be the country’s last best political opportunity to do something big on the climate.

• sink or swim