ENGLISH
REFERENCE

turn to dust

idiom
Meaning

To die or disappear.


Examples
SIMPLE

All his old dreams turned to dust.

CONTEXTUAL

After the company went bankrupt, years of hard work and planning turned to dust.

COMPLEX

As the ancient empire collapsed, its grand monuments and proud history slowly turned to dust under the relentless march of time.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beat the dust

    To perform curvets too precipitately or too low.

  2. 02

    bite the dust

    To die.

  3. 03

    Buggins's turn

    A humorous, disparaging term for the appointment of a person by rotation or promotion, on the basis of length of service (it being that person's "turn") rather than merit or level of qualification.

  4. 04

    bust the dust

    To clean dust off something, such as with a vacuum cleaner.

  5. 05

    catch dust

    To be rarely used.

  6. 06

    collect dust

    To remain untouched and unused for a long period of time.

  7. 07

    done and dusted

    Completed thoroughly and satisfactorily.

  8. 08

    dust mouse

    A dust bunny.

Last updated April 17, 2026