Shuffle off this mortal coil Meaning in English

expression

US

SHUH-fuhl OFF THIS MOR-tuhl KOYL

UK

shuh-FUL OFF this MAW-tuhl KOYL

Definition

A poetic or literary expression meaning to die or leave the physical world.

Usage & Nuances

This phrase is formal, poetic, and most famously used by Shakespeare in Hamlet. It's mainly used in literature or when someone wants to refer to death in a gentle or thoughtful way. Rare in everyday speech; not to be confused with modern slang.

• Spanish: abandonar esta vida - morir (literario)
• Portuguese (BR): deixar esta existência - morrer (poético)
• Portuguese (PT): deixar esta existência - morrer (poético)
• Chinese (Simplified): 离开尘世 - 去世（文学用语）
• Chinese (Traditional): 離開塵世 - 去世（文學用語）
• Hindi: इस नश्वर देह को त्याग देना - मर जाना (साहित्यिक)
• Arabic: مغادرة هذا العالم الفاني - الموت (أدبي)
• Bengali: এই নশ্বর দেহ ছেড়ে চলে যাওয়া - মৃত্যু বরণ করা
• Russian: покинуть этот бренный мир - уйти из жизни
• Japanese: この世を去る - 人生から去る
• Vietnamese: rời khỏi cõi tạm này - lìa bỏ thân xác
• Korean: 이 덧없는 세상을 떠나다 - 세상을 등지다
• Turkish: bu fani dünyadan göçmek - bu dünyadan ayrılmak
• Urdu: اس فانی دنیا کو چھوڑ دینا - دنیا سے رخصت ہونا
• Indonesian: meninggalkan dunia fana ini - wafat

Example Sentences

Some poets use 'shuffle off this mortal coil' to mean someone has died.

basic

He hoped to leave peacefully when he finally 'shuffled off this mortal coil'.

basic

The old actor spoke about how everyone must 'shuffle off this mortal coil' one day.

basic

It's never easy when someone you love 'shuffles off this mortal coil'.

natural

He quoted Hamlet, saying we all must 'shuffle off this mortal coil' eventually.

natural

Some writers use 'shuffle off this mortal coil' to soften the topic of death in their stories.

natural