More dead than alive Meaning in English
expression
ˈmɔɹ/ /ˈdɛd/ /ˈðæn/, /ðən/ /əˈɫaɪv
MOR DED than uh-LIVE
mˈɔː/ /dˈɛd/ /ðˈɐn/ /ɐlˈaɪv
MAW DED than uh-LIVE
Definition
An expression used when someone looks or feels extremely weak, sick, scared, or exhausted, as if they are barely alive.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal, dramatic phrase describing extreme exhaustion, fear, or illness. Common after shocking or tiring experiences. Not used literally—meant to exaggerate how bad someone feels.
Spanish: más muerto que vivoPortuguese (BR): mais morto do que vivoPortuguese (PT): mais morto do que vivoChinese (Simplified): 半死不活Chinese (Traditional): 半死不活Hindi: मुर्दों से भी ज़्यादा बुरी हालत मेंArabic: أشبه بالميت من الحيBengali: মরার চেয়ে বেশি - আধমরাRussian: живой мёртвец - еле живойJapanese: 生ける屍 - 死にかけVietnamese: sống dở chết dở - như xác sốngKorean: 거의 죽은 듯한 - 살아 있지만 죽은 것 같은Turkish: ölü gibi - canı çıkmışUrdu: زندہ سے زیادہ مردہ - تقریباً مردہIndonesian: setengah mati - lebih mati daripada hidup
Example Sentences
After the race, he felt more dead than alive.
basic
She looked more dead than alive after being sick for days.
basic
He came out of the scary movie looking more dead than alive.
basic
By the time we reached the top of the mountain, I was more dead than alive.
natural
He stumbled into the room looking more dead than alive after the night shift.
natural
When they told her the shocking news, she sat there more dead than alive.
natural