Die with Your Boots On Meaning
Definition: To die while being active, be it fighting, working, etc.
Origin of Die with Your Boots On
This phrase is related to an older phrase with the same meaning: to die in harness. This older phrase dates back from at least Shakespeare’s time, as it appears in his play Macbeth:
- At least we’ll die with harness on our back.
The analogy for this phrase is to a draft horse working until it drops dead.
The exact origin is unclear, but most sources point to the American Old West as the source. The American West is often depicted with many cowboys walking around in boots. They frequently engage in gunfights, or die by hanging. Apparently, this expression initially referred to cowboys who died while in a gunfight or who were hung for some crime.
Another origin theory is that the phrase alludes to soldiers dying in battle or on active duty.
In most modern contexts, however, the phrase indicates that someone has died doing something he or she loved. It emphasizes staying active until the very end of one’s life.
Examples of Die with Your Boots On
In this conversation, a mother and daughter are talking about some bad news.
Daughter: What’s the matter, Mom?
Mother: I’m afraid I have some bad news. Your uncle Martin died.
Daughter: Oh no! What happened?
Mother: Well, he was working at the ski resort as he usually did, when he unexpectedly had a heart attack. He died up on the slopes.
Daughter: I guess at least he died doing what he loved, in his favorite place.
Mother: Yes. He always wanted to die with his boots on.
In this example, two coworkers are upset because of an older coworker that they have.
Dave: I can’t believe Stan hasn’t retired yet. He must be old enough. He looks like he’s in his eighties!
Ben: Actually, I think he’s only 79 years old.
Dave: That’s unbelievable! Why is he still working? Once he retires, one of us will probably get promoted to his position. I could use the extra money.
Ben: Don’t count on him retiring anytime soon. I’ve often heard him say that he intends to die with his boots on. He’ll keep working here until he’s dead.
More Examples
This excerpt is about an actor with cancer. The quote claims that he prefers to die while working, and won’t delay his death by taking his medication.
- “His condition is inoperable and they have stopped the chemo. He’s still losing weight and he’s very weak,” a pal said. “Patrick regards himself as a cowboy, and is determined to die with his boots on and no regrets.” –New York Daily News
This article is about a bank robber from the Old West. Someone shot him while robbing a bank, and he didn’t die until four days later. During that time he explained that he never thought he would die in bed.
- The bullet lodged in Starr’s spine. He lingered on for four days, explaining how debt had driven him back to crime and waxing philosophical about his demise. “I always thought I’d die with my boots on,” he told a doctor. Of course, he made time to brag about his accomplishments, which included more than a score of robberies. “I’ve robbed more banks than any other man in America,” he boasted. –New York Daily News
Summary
The phrase die with your boots on means to perish while at work, rather than at leisure.
Contents