# go the way of the dinosaurs

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/go-the-way-of-the-dinosaurs
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To go extinct or become obsolete; to fall out of common use or practice; to become a thing of the past.

## Examples

- Paper maps went the way of the dinosaurs.
- With streaming services everywhere, video rental stores have gone the way of the dinosaurs.
- Once essential to every household, the landline telephone has largely gone the way of the dinosaurs, replaced by smartphones.

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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.