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Glite Dictionary
never-say-die

never-say-die

2 7.4
A person who shows strong hope and refuses to give up
  • adjective
  • Informal
: actitud indomable
  • Despite facing numerous obstacles, she approached every task with a never-say-die attitude.
  • never-say-die attitude

I, I just have a never say die attitude, which is probably long term not a great idea for returns.

Examples

  • Today's generation of Poles and worldwide Polonia are proud of the never-say-die commitment to fighting the German Nazi regime their parents and grandparents displayed.

    Blog text (3)

  • His never-say-die mentality inspired everyone around him to keep pushing forward.

  • I, I just have a never say die attitude, which is probably long term not a great idea for returns.

    Chris Williamson

  • And the guy has a never-say-die attitude, no matter how bad it gets.

    Blog text (8)

  • Along with his never-say-die attitude and his speed, he was also powerful and relentless.

    Blog text (7)

  • This team does seem to have that never-say-die attitude that I have come to know here at RIT.

    Blog text (30)

  • The team has gotten to this point with an aggressive offense and a never-say-die attitude fostered by strong team chemistry.

    Blog text (5)

  • That "break" with Johnson, coupled with Humphrey's gutsy, never-say-die performance on the campaign trail, almost did it.

    Academic text (1992)

  • I've always had a never-say-die attitude, so I worked my butt off to reach everyone in this increasingly diverse classroom with fewer and fewer resources.

    Blog text (29)

  • Her never-say-die spirit helped the team overcome many challenges during the tournament.

Synonyms

indomitable
vsnever-say-die
11 8.1

Someone very determined and brave who cannot be defeated

is steady optimistic determination rather than sheer unconquerable courage
do-or-die
vsnever-say-die
  • Informal
2 7.2

Willing to do anything to succeed when the situation is urgent

is steady optimistic persistence rather than urgent all-or-nothing risk taking
unsubduable
vsnever-say-die
9.9

Not able to be defeated or controlled

is about ongoing optimism and refusal to give up rather than pure invincibility

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to despair
44 4.1

To lose all hope

How Determined

never-say-die
  • Informal
2 7.4
resolute
21 4.9
determined
399 2.5
persistent
43 4.4

Surface Forms

never-say-die positive

Morphology

never-say-die = never + say + die (semi-transparent) = never + say + die

The literal components are clear, but the fixed idiomatic phrase 'never say die' carries a conventional meaning 'refusing to give up' that is not fully predictable from the separate words.

Etymology

Never-say-die comes from the simple words never, say, and die and grew from the old idea 'don't give up'; imagine someone being told not to say 'die' so they keep trying. That's why never-say-die describes a person or attitude that refuses to give up.