It means to have to suffer through ordeal that makes a person prefer death over going through it again.
It is referred to for misfortunes which makes a person’s life not worth living for.
At one point in time, it was a synonym for rape and was referred to for women who went through the terrible act.
Now it is used on a lighter note too instead of just gruesome acts and fate.
Even after she got the surgery done she was in pain for weeks. It was a fate worse than death.
I hope that nobody has to suffer through his lectures, it is a fate worse than death.
There is no origin for this idiom
Was this page helpful?
definition
Common phrase that has a specific meaning.