Idiom – Kick The Bucket

When Pigs Fly – Idiom of the Day

Meaning:

To stop living

To pass away

To die

History: 

This idiom first appeared in 1785 in the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue print. Though the origin is not clear, there are various theories that define its source. One of the common theories is hanging. It is when a person standing on a bucket, kicks it, and the noose over his head tightens and he dies. However, there is no significant evidence that would support the claim. In reality, it seems quite implausible as well. Another theory is the reference to the archaic meaning of bucket, which was used in the 16th century to mean beam in England. A beam, or a bucket, was being used to hang animals for their slaughter. Since animals were hanged by their feet, they would repeatedly kick the bucket until they died. Another plausible theory states a Catholic practice of putting the holy water bucket near the feet of a dead person so that visitors could sprinkle this water on the body.

Synonyms:

• Cash in one’s chip
• Buy the farm
• Bite the dust
• Go belly up
• Meet one’s maker
• Cease living
• Pass away
• Succumb
• Exit
• Decease
• Perish
• Conk
• Expire
• Die
• Pass

Examples:

Go through the examples to understand the usage of the idiom:

1. The old man who used to live down the street has kicked the bucket.
2. When we returned from the vacation I found my dog had kicked the bucket.
3. I have registered for organ donation after I kick the bucket.