de dood of de gladiolen

Dutch

Etymology

Literally, “death or the gladioli”. Originally from road cycling sports jargon.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /də ˈdoːt ɔf də ɣlaː.diˈoː.lə(n)/

Phrase

de dood of de gladiolen

  1. (idiomatic) all or nothing; do or die (used to indicate a win-or-lose situation with an uncertain outcome) [from 1970s]
    • 1976 August 14, Hein Groothuis, "Verpoest bedwingt Wiersma", de Stem, page 9.
      „ […] En daar zal het de dood of de gladiolen zijn, want de tweede plaats telt niet voor mij”.
      " […] And it will be all or nothing over there, because the second place is nothing to me."

Synonyms
  • erop of eronder
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