push up daisies
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
In allusion to the daisy flowers growing over a dead person's grave. Originated in World War I.[1]
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb[edit]
push up daisies (third-person singular simple present pushes up daisies, present participle pushing up daisies, simple past and past participle pushed up daisies)
- (idiomatic, euphemistic or humorous) To be dead.
- 1969 December 7, Monty Python, “Full Frontal Nudity, Dead Parrot sketch”, in Monty Python's Flying Circus, spoken by Mr Praline (John Cleese):
- This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late parrot! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed it to the perch it would be pushing up the daisies!
Derived terms[edit]
- pushing up daisies (adjective)
Translations[edit]
idiomatic: to be dead
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See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “daisy (n.)”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Further reading[edit]
- “push up daisies” in Idioms and phrases, TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2024.