Idiom
pop your clogs
Meanings
To die (informal, often humorous).
Definition
To pop your clogs means to die, used informally and often humorously.
If someone pops their clogs, they die. It is a very informal British expression and is often used jokingly or lightly rather than in serious, respectful situations. People usually use it when talking about death in a casual way or in dark humour.
Examples
- My grandad always joked that he wanted to travel one last time before he popped his clogs.
- I don’t want to pop my clogs before I’ve learned to drive.
- She said she’d rather pop her clogs than apologize, but she changed her mind later.
- They acted as if he was going to pop his clogs tomorrow, even though he was fine.
- You might think you’ll never pop your clogs, but time goes faster than you expect.
Common mistake
Learners often use this idiom in formal or sympathetic contexts, but it can sound insensitive and is better kept for casual or humorous speech.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a relaxed, friendly chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of what you have done or a difficult situation.