A fate worse than death

Meaning

The reputed opinion of sexual intercourse by prim Victorian ladies.

Examples

Lord Carruthers dragged me to his bedroom and left me in no doubt I was to suffer a fate worse than death.

Where did it originate?

The United Kingdom.

Where is it used?

Worldwide, but now considered rather old-fashioned and used mainly by the older generation.

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About the Author

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

A fate worse than death