# bite the big one

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bite-the-big-one
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To perform poorly; to fail.

## Examples

- My old car finally bit the big one today.
- The team worked hard for months, but their project bit the big one during the final presentation.
- Despite the massive investment and years of research, the ambitious startup ultimately bit the big one when its main product failed to launch.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.