proverb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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1
proverb
Meaning 1
An expression of willingness, even eagerness, to give one’s life for a cause.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
proverb
Meaning 2
An expression indicating that one should not live with any regrets, or tasks left undone.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
The phrase is frequently attributed to the Oglala Lakota war leader Crazy Horse (c. 1842 – 1877), though this is inaccurate as the earliest published reference, in the edition on August 14, 1881 of the Leavenworth Times, attributes it to the Oglala Lakota chief Low Dog (c. 1846 – 1894).
Across languages
Translations
4 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Galician:
hoxe é un bo día para morrer
— expression of willingness, even eagerness, to give one’s life for a cause
Vietnamese:
hi sinh
— expression of willingness, even eagerness, to give one’s life for a cause
Vietnamese:
hiến thân
— expression of willingness, even eagerness, to give one’s life for a cause
Galician:
hoxe é un bo día para morrer
— expression indicating that one should not live with any regrets, or tasks left undone