What does the phrase "sleep with the fishes" mean and what are its origins?
The phrase "sleep with the fishes" is an idiom that means to be dead, typically due to drowning or being thrown (or disposed of) into a body of water, though it can also be used figuratively to refer to a dead person.
The phrase is believed to have originated from the 1955 novel Murder is My Business by Agatha Christie, featuring Miss Marple. In this instance, the phrase was used to refer to a murder victim who had been drowned and thrown into a pond.
Since then, the phrase has become popular in film, literature, and everyday speech as a way to refer to someone who has been killed or murdered, often sarcastically or humorously.
Related Questions
What is the origin of the phrase "sleep with the fishes"?
- The phrase is believed to have originated from the 1955 novel Murder is My Business by Agatha Christie.
What does the phrase "sleep with the fishes" mean?
- The phrase means to be dead, typically due to drowning or being thrown into a body of water.
Can the phrase "sleep with the fishes" be used figuratively?
- Yes, the phrase can also be used figuratively to refer to a dead person.
Why might someone use the phrase "sleep with the fishes" sarcastically or humorously?
- They may use it to make light of a serious situation or to add a touch of irony or humor to a conversation.
What are some other idioms that have a similar meaning to "sleep with the fishes"?
- Other idioms include "pushing up daisies," "meet one's maker," and "bite the dust."
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