die on one's arse

die on one's arse

1. (Britain, idiomatic, vulgar slang) To fail completely.

   Synonyms: flop, die a death

   • 2013, Andrew Grice, "Michael Dugher on Labour's 2015 election strategy: This will be the most personal election ever", The Independent:

     He explains: "Labour still has its historic competitive advantage – people. Tory party membership is dying on its arse and no one is joining the Liberal Democrats."

   • 2014, Ian Glasper, Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980–1984, PM Press, page 18:

     [...] the record failed miserably to chart. "That album died on its arse, to be honest," admits Shane.

1. (Britain, idiomatic, vulgar slang, of a comedian) To be very poorly received by an audience.

   Synonym: die

   • 2008, Frank Skinner, Frank Skinner on the Road: Love, Stand-up Comedy and The Queen Of The Night, Arrow Books (2009), page 55:

     [...] this was very far from being my best bits. It was me, in various venues, dying on my arse, over and over again.

   • 2018, Romesh Ranganathan, "Romesh Ranganathan: 'If someone says "did you enjoy that?" I know I've died on my arse'", The Guardian:

     The worst thing you can say to a comedian right after they come off stage is: "Did you enjoy that?" If somebody says that, I know I’ve died on my arse.