Drop dead Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Serious Outcome Emphasizes abrupt and severe health incidents, suggests grave results. The doctor warned he could drop dead if he didn't change his lifestyle. Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use Used to describe an actual event, not as a figure of speech. During the race, one runner seemed to drop dead from exhaustion. Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Shock Implies that the event is sudden and unforeseen, causing surprise. It was a normal day until he just dropped dead in the office.