Starving

[0290] Dying of hunger/thirst

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A hyperbolic expression meaning extremely hungry or thirsty.
  • Similar to starving, but perhaps emphasizes the suffering or desperation more intensely, though still used casually.

Origin

  • Direct hyperbole, exaggerating the feeling of hunger or thirst to the point of imminent death for dramatic or emphatic effect.
  • Like starving, it uses the ultimate consequence (death) to signify the extreme nature of the basic need.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Parched (Very thirsty)
  • Dehydrated (Can be literal or exaggerated)
  • Famished / Ravenous (Very hungry)
  • Starving
  • Gasping (UK slang for desperately wanting a drink, often alcoholic but can be non-alcoholic)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Absolutely parched (Thirst)
  • Could drink the sea (Thirst, hyperbole)
  • Hank Marvin (UK slang for 'starving' Hunger)
  • Gutted (UK slang can mean very hungry/thirsty among other things like disappointed)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Fucking dying of hunger/thirst

Milder:

  • Extremely hungry/thirsty
  • Very dehydrated/parched
  • Desperate for a drink/food

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal.
  • The dramatic hyperbole makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. Be mindful of using it in situations where actual starvation or severe dehydration is a real concern for others, as it could seem insensitive.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Like starving, non-native speakers need to recognize this as common hyperbole, not a literal statement of impending death.

Examples

  • Can we stop for water? I'm dying of thirst.
  • I haven't eaten all day, I'm dying of hunger.
  • Get me a drink, quick, I'm dying of thirst!

Dialogue

Sam: How much further is the hike?

Chloe: About another hour, I think.

Sam: An hour? Oh man, I need water now. I'm dying of thirst!

Chloe: Okay, let's take a break here. I've got some extra water in my pack.

Sam: Oh, thank goodness! You're a lifesaver.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Just finished a 10k run in the sun. Pretty sure I'm dying of thirst! ☀️🥵 #running #hydration #thirsty
  • Instagram Story: (Boomerang of someone gulping water) Was literally dying of thirst after that workout.
  • Facebook Post: Waited 2 hours for food at the restaurant... we were dying of hunger by the time it arrived! 😩 #hungry #waiting #food

Response Patterns

  • Okay, okay, let's get you something.
  • Here, have some water/a snack.
  • Me too!
  • Where can we stop?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone says they are dying of hunger/thirst:

  • The immediate reaction is usually to address the need: offer food/drink, suggest stopping somewhere, ask what they want.

After receiving food/drink:

  • The person usually expresses thanks and relief.

Conversation Starter

  • Yes.
  • Similar to starving, it can be used to initiate action to get food or drink. Anyone else dying of thirst? Let's find a cafe.

Intonation

  • Emphasis on DY-ing and HUN-ger or THIRST.
  • Often delivered with a tone of urgency, slight desperation, or complaint.

Generation Differences

  • Understood and used by most generations, perhaps slightly more dramatic than just starving.

Regional Variations

  • Widely used across English-speaking regions.
Starving
🎲 Cost an arm and a leg