ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hill to die on

idiom
Meaning

An issue to pursue with a wholehearted conviction or a single-minded focus, with little or no regard to the cost and no intent of equivocation or compromise.


Origin

disputed origin

An allusion to the instances where a military doggedly pursues a goal or defends a position no matter the cost or (lack of) benefit, typically involving a hill (high ground). Examples include Battle of Hamburger Hill, Battle of Thermopylae, and Last Stand Hill.

Examples
SIMPLE

This small argument is not a hill to die on.

CONTEXTUAL

I disagree with the new policy, but it is not a hill to die on, so I will let it go.

COMPLEX

While he felt strongly about the project, he realized that challenging the director's minor preference was not a hill to die on.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross my heart and hope to die

    Added to a promise or a statement to show how serious one was about being honest in what one said

  2. 02

    die a thousand deaths

    To suffer repeatedly (often mentally rather than physically); to suffer extreme embarrassment or anxiety.

  3. 03

    die down

    To become less virulent or strong; to subside.

  4. 04

    die hard

    Of a living being, to die only after a desperate struggle for life.

  5. 05

    die in harness

    Of a person, to pass away before retirement.

  6. 06

    die on one's arse

    To fail completely.

  7. 07

    die on the vine

    To fail at an early stage or never come to fruition, typically due to neglect, infeasibility, or lack of resources.

  8. 08

    die out

    To become extinct.

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