dead serious

dead serious

Completely serious, and not joking in any way. This phrase is usually used to implore the listener to believe the speaker. I'm dead serious—stop playing tricks on me!
See also: dead, serious
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dead serious

absolutely serious; not joking. Tom: You're funning me. Bill: No, I'm dead serious. Mary has threatened divorce a hundred times, but this time she says she's dead serious.
See also: dead, serious
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • serious
  • get serious
  • Get serious!
  • for serious
  • and the band played on
  • band
  • bear (one's) cross
References in periodicals archive
I'm dead serious. I'll pay whatever - it doesn't matter the cost.
I'll pay anything, I'm dead serious. I want my dog back man" - Footballer Daniel Sturridge, pictured, is angry after his Pomeranian dog Lucci was taken from a house in Los Angeles.
Prosecutor Kristian Kirk says the three men, aged 30, "deliberately and systematically obtained lots of small parts and components, which together could have become powerful weapons for terrorists." Kirk says "it may sound like shopping lists for a hobby project (but) it is dead serious." He said Friday that the men two of them Danish citizens bought "hobby planes, drones and thermal cameras as well as components, tools and accessories" in Denmark between 2013 and 2017.
Prosecutor Kristian Kirk says the three men, aged 30, "deliberately and systematically obtained lots of small parts and components, which together could have become powerful weapons for terrorists." Kirk says "it may sound like shopping lists for a hobby project (but) it is dead serious." He said Friday that the men -- two of them Danish citizens -- bought "hobby planes, drones and thermal cameras as well as components, tools and accessories" in Denmark between 2013 and 2017.
Brad Pitt, who features in Tarantino's upcoming film, told the outlet that the five-time Oscar winner was "dead serious" but has "other plans."
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is 'dead serious' in going after erring police officers and personnel through its reformation program, PNP chief Gen.
If the government is dead serious with safety and comfort, it has the power to do it.
This is the outcome of the PNP's "dead serious" internal cleansing campaign against scalawag police officers, PNP chief Gen.
in the Army we are dead serious that we're not going to abuse it.
DEAD rubber or dead serious? For Newcastle Eagles this was both.
'All the stakeholders need to be dead serious to establish durable peace in Afghanistan,' he added.
The Cargo Movers are dead serious in asserting their dominance as they open their bid against a solid Cignal side at 7 p.m.
The Google memo said: "We are dead serious about making sure we provide a safe and inclusive workplace.
RUTH Davidson started her conference speech with a good gag but her main message was dead serious.
class="MsoNormalWhat an amazing thing for a powerful man to do in a dead serious moment.