better dead than red
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
It is preferable to be deceased than to be a Communist or ruled by Communists.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Canon Collins urged the electors to reject the candidate nominated by the Crown, Dr. R. W. Stopford, Bishop of Peterborough, who, he claimed, had said "it would be better to have nuclear war than to permit Communist domination over Britain." Canon Collins said: "I cannot believe it is proper for a b
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “better dead than red” mean?
It is preferable to be deceased than to be a Communist or ruled by Communists.
Is “better dead than red” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.