drop like flies
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To die en masse, one after the other.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Seymour: Audrey, quick! We've got to do an emergency [flower] arrangement.
[…]
Mr. Mushnik: The Shivas are our most important funereal account. A big, enormous family, they're dropping off like flies!
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 “drop like flies” mean?
To die en masse, one after the other.
Is “drop like flies” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.