# dance on nothing

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dance-on-nothing
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be hanged.

## Examples

- The thief feared he would dance on nothing by morning.
- The judge sentenced the prisoner to dance on nothing for his crimes against the crown.
- The condemned man walked toward the gallows, knowing that within the hour he would dance on nothing before the gathered crowd.

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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.