never say die


never say die

Never surrender or give up; don't stop trying. No matter how many things go wrong, never say die—we'll find a way to finish this on time. A: "I'll never be any good at guitar." B: "Hey, never say die! You just need to practice."See also: die, never, say

Never say die.

Prov. Do not give up. Jill: I don't think I can finish this project in time. Jane: Never say die. Alan: It's no use. I can't make my checkbook balance. Jane: Never say die!See also: die, never, say

never say die

Don't ever give up, do not despair, as in This stage set doesn't look too promising, but never say die, it may still work out. This maxim today is often used ironically and deprecatingly, for something that has already failed. [Early 1800s] See also: die, never, say

never say die

used to encourage someone not to give up hope in a difficult situation.See also: die, never, say

ˌnever say ˈdie

(saying) do not stop trying or hoping for something: Never say die, buddy. I’ve been in worse situations than this. ♢ Billy was an enthusiastic player with the never-say-die attitude that supporters love to see.See also: die, never, say

never say die

Never give up. Although the analogy is an obvious one, the phrase dates only from the mid-nineteenth century. Dickens used it in Pickwick Papers (1837), “Never say die—down upon your luck,” and numerous writers did after him. In the twentieth century it was more often used ironically, but in the same meaning—that is, keep on trying against all odds.See also: die, never, say