a fate worse than death

fate worse than death — Describing something as a fate worse than death is a fairly common way of implying that it is unpleasant …   The small dictionary of idiomes

fate worse than death —    Describing something as a fate worse than death is a fairly common way of implying that it is unpleasant.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

fate worse than death —    unsought extramarital copulation by a woman    A pre Second World War use, acknowledging the convention that women should be virgins when they married:     So being rattled stupid by Solomon would be no fate worse than death for her. (Fraser,… …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

Fate worse than death —   Describing something as a fate worse than death is a fairly common way of implying that it is unpleasant …   Dictionary of English idioms

(a) fate worse than death — a fate worse than death often humorous phrase something very bad that could happen to you He saved me from a fate worse than death. Thesaurus: difficult situations and experiencessynonym Main entry: fate * * * a fate worse than ˈdeath …   Useful english dictionary

(a) fate worse than death — a very bad or unpleasant experience. She felt that having to move to a small town was a fate worse than death. Usage notes: often used in a humorous way to describe something that is not too serious: Spending a day with my aunt would be a fate… …   New idioms dictionary

a fate worse than death — 1. Orig an ordeal more horrible or degrading than simple death, esp rape 2. (now chiefly facetious) any terrible ordeal • • • Main Entry: ↑fate * * * I a terrible experience, esp. that of seduction or rape II see death …   Useful english dictionary

a fate worse than death — often humorous something very bad that could happen to you He saved me from a fate worse than death …   English dictionary

a fate worse than death — Meaning Rape or loss of virginity. Origin Probably originated in Victorian England and attested to the belief that a dishonoured woman was better off dead. Still used but ironically of late. Edgar Rice Burroughs used it in his Tarzan of the Apes …   Meaning and origin of phrases

be a fate worse than death — humorous to be the worst thing that can happen to you. When you re 16, an evening at home with your parents is a fate worse than death …   New idioms dictionary

A Fate Totally Worse than Death — Infobox Book | name = A Fate Totally Worse than Death image caption = First edition 1995 author = Paul Fleischman cover artist = Jeff Wack country = U.S.A. language = English genre = Parody publisher = Candlewick pub date = October 2 1995 media… …   Wikipedia