- A phrase commenting on the failure, elimination, defeat, or demise of yet another person or thing in a sequence. It often conveys a sense of inevitability, resignation, or sometimes grim satisfaction.
Explanation
Origin
- Popularized globally by the iconic 1980 hit song Another One Bites the Dust by the British rock band Queen.
- The song's lyrics and driving beat evoke themes of confrontation and survival.
- The idiom bites the dust itself is older, meaning to die or fall in defeat, likely picturing someone falling face down into the dirt. Queen's song made this specific phrasing ubiquitous for commenting on successive failures or losses.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Another one down.
- Scratch another one off the list.
- Washed out. / Kaput. (Failed/Broken)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Another one bites the shit. (Less common variant)
- Another one fucked. (Referring to failure/defeat)
More Formal:
- Yet another entity has ceased to operate.
- This marks one more failure in the series.
Situational Appropriateness
- Generally informal to semi-formal.
- Can sound callous, flippant, or insensitive if used about serious personal tragedies (deaths, job losses) without careful consideration of context, tone, and audience. Avoid using it lightly in situations of genuine grief or hardship unless a shared dark humor is appropriate.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The metaphorical meaning (failure, elimination, demise) is usually well understood due to the song's fame. The primary risk is misjudging the tone and causing offense by sounding insensitive.
Examples
- (Seeing news of another store closing) Wow, the third cafe on this street this year. Another one bites the dust.
- (Watching a talent show elimination) Well, Mark is out. Another one bites the dust.
- (After successfully swatting flies) Got him! Another one bites the dust. (Humorous/Triumphant)
- (Referring to repeated attempts) My fourth attempt at baking sourdough... another one bites the dust. It's flat again. (Resigned)
Dialogue
Office Worker A: Did you hear? Our competitor, Acme Inc., just filed for bankruptcy.
Office Worker B: No way! Really? They seemed so solid.
Office Worker A: Yep. Tough market. Well, another one bites the dust.
Office Worker B: Makes you wonder who's next.
Social Media Examples
- Comment on news of a tech startup failing: Sad to hear about StartUpX. They had a cool idea. Another one bites the dust in the valley. #startup #tech
- Gamer's post after a winning streak: Clean sweep tonight! 5 wins in a row. Another one bites the dust! GG everyone! #gaming #victory
- Post about failed New Year's resolutions: Hit the gym once in January... guess another one bites the dust. 😂 #resolutionfail #fitnessjourney
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Resignation: Yeah, it's happening a lot. / Too bad. / Inevitable, I guess.
- Inquiry: Who/What this time?
- Shared dark humor: A wry smile or chuckle.
- Concern (if about something serious): That's worrying.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- After hearing it: Listeners might ask for details (Who failed now?) or comment on the pattern (That's the third one this month!).
- After saying it: The speaker might elaborate on the specific instance or reflect on the trend.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a comment on an event within an ongoing series or trend.
Intonation
- Can be stated matter-of-factly, with resignation (sigh), dark humor, or even slight triumph (like swatting flies).
- Often emphasis on Another.
- ANOTHER one bites the dust.
- Sometimes delivered with a slight rhythmic quality echoing the song's bassline.
Generation Differences
- Widely known across generations due to the massive and enduring popularity of the Queen song.
Regional Variations
- Globally recognized thanks to the song's international fame.