Line #30 Main/TryNotToDie


1	%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1427215601094514700
2	%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.
3	%%
4	[[quoteright:299:[[ComicBook/{{Runaways}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b44801f7ed82182790742f712159bea2.jpg]]]][[caption-width-right:299:No beating about the bush. Especially not with that stick she's carrying.]]
5
6	->'''Mr. Incredible:''' Shut it down, do it quickly, don't destroy it...\
7	'''Mirage:''' And don't die.
8	-->-- ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1''
9
10	%%Please only one quote for the page. Others can go on the Quotes page.
11
12	When heroes are about to go StormingTheCastle, or facing impossible and deadly odds, "Try Not To Die" is a common saying in more grim works. Not, "Knock 'em dead!" or the more emotive "We're counting on you", but this simple, plaintive request... which goes a long way to saying just how bad the odds and low the expectations are of the adventurers as well as their loved ones.
13
14	Compare HowDareYouDieOnMe Contrast PrepareToDie. Has nothing to do with PressXToNotDie.
15
16	----
17	!!Examples:
18
19	[[foldercontrol]]
20
21	[[folder:Advertising]]
22	* This was the basis of an ad campaign for cellular phones, where one character would be in the process of dropping dead, while someone else would be standing over him, ''berating him for dying'' because the new phone was about to come out and he'd miss it, (along the lines of, "What are you stupid, having a heart attack before they release this phone?") ending with the tag line, "Try not to die."
23	[[/folder]]
24
25	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
26	* ''Manga/DeathNote'': L has one in the "Bang!" scene.
27	* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'':
28	** This is the only order Roy Mustang gives to his team just before they [[spoiler:begin their rebellion in Central]]. Later, Hawkeye repeats this order after [[spoiler:her throat is slit in an attempt to force Mustang to perform Human Transmutation and she's bleeding to death]]. The Gold-Toothed Doctor wryly notes that if immortality were ''that'' easy, he's wasted his entire life.
29	--->'''Hawkeye:''' I won't die... I've... been ordered not to die, you see.
30	** Also said twice by Riza Hawkeye to Mustang - once [[spoiler:at her father's funeral]] and the second time [[spoiler:when she's reassigned to Fuhrer King Bradley's personal guard]].
31	* In ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'',
32	** Integra orders Walter to 'come back alive at any cost'. He does, but...well, let's just say he took her literally.
33	** She also gives a variant of this [[spoiler:just before Alucard vanishes. sniff]]
34	* ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'':
35	** The Chief to the rest of Section 9 after he learns they've been betrayed.
36	** Also, Batou to the Major in episode 21. Not an unreasonable thing to say, since this is moments before she attempts to take on a powered exoskeleton with nothing but sidearms.
37	* In ''Literature/KinosJourney'', this is Kino's most important rule of being a traveler. Kino tells it to a guy trying to be TheAtoner, and to the woman who didn't appreciate the guy thinking he could get off the hook that easy.
38	* This is said quite a lot in the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' metaseries, usually phrased as an order before a battle.
39	** Shiro Amada's pep talk to his new squad in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamThe08thMSTeam'' can be summed up thusly. Shiro practically considers it part of their standing orders.
40	--->'''Graham Aker:''' ''[wingman blows up]'' I thought I told you not to die!
41	** A variation occurs in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam0080WarInThePocket'', where Garcia asks Bernie not to die when they go forward with the operation to destroy the NT-1 - because if he does, Garcia will be the lowest-ranked member of the Cyclops Team again.
42	* The ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' dub takes us full circle. As the Chuunin Exam escalates into the Forest of Death, the instructor gives a final bit of advice:
43	-->'''Anko:''' Just don't die!
44	* In a late episode of ''Anime/DigimonTamers,'' Terriermon, in the dubbed version at least, cheerfully says to the others, "Try not to get killed while we're gone!" when the team had to separate during a fight.
45	* Genkai from ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'' has one of these before seeing a bunch of warriors, Yusuke and Kuwabara included, off into the Dark Forest as part of her trial. After explaining what the forest is, she tells everyone that they have two hours to get to a tree on the other side of the forest. "Best of luck, I hope you don't die."
46	* Kenji in ''Manga/TwentiethCenturyBoys'', as [[spoiler:he and his friends head off to fight the [[HumongousMecha giant robot]] on New Year's Eve]]: "If you think your life is in danger, run away as fast as you can. Please don't die!" This is echoed later on by many other characters in appropriate moments.
47	* "Don't die." is probably said, on average, ''once per episode'' in ''Anime/GingaDensetsuWeed''.
48	* In the final season of ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes,'' Reinhard ''orders'' Mittermeyer not to die.
49	* In ''Literature/{{Baccano}}'', Miria tells this to Jacuzzi before he goes to confront the Rail Tracer. Notable because she's a {{Cloudcuckoolander}}, and said this with deadly severity.
50	* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'':
51	** When Orihime tells this to Ichigo to stop him from hating himself, this becomes the turning point of the fight between Grimmjow and Ichigo.
52	** Also the main gist of the prayer/oath that Renji chants when he, Ichigo, Rukia, Ishida, and Chad split up during the beginning of the Hueco Mundo arc.
53	* Also invoked by Misato in the last line of the first episode of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''.
54	* In ''Manga/{{Yotsuba}}'', when Yotsuba heads next door on her RoaringRampageOfRevenge, Jumbo tells her to "Come back alive." Knowing, as always, the cultural trappings but not their true meanings, she replies, "Even if I die, I'll come back alive."
55	-->"So how did the revenge go?"\
56	"I died!"
57	* ''Anime/KiddyGrade'' - [[spoiler:Éclair]] to her troops in a flashback: "one final order: don't get killed."
58	* This is said to Guts a couple of times in ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'', most notably when [[spoiler:Guts gives Casca a path to escape from an ambush by an enemy army]] and Casca tells Guts that she would return with help, but until then...
59	-->'''Casca:''' ...DON'T DIE!
60	* ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'':
61	** During the invasion of Academy City by Vento of the Front, Misaka shouts this to Touma as he goes to fight Vento while Index goes to find out how to [[spoiler:free Kazakiri from her forced "angel" mode]] and Misaka stays to fight off some {{Mooks}}.
62	--->'''Misaka:''' The [[WagerSlave penalty game]]!\
63	'''Touma:''' What was that?\
64	'''Misaka:''' You agreed to do whatever I said today, remember! The day isn't over yet, so here's my next order: go save your friend and come back safely! Got it!?\
65	'''Touma:''' Got it! Don't you go dying either!
66	** In the same arc, Accelerator and Touma end up talking on cellphones, and neither recognizes the other's voice (the last time they met, they were enemies). Both encourage the "stranger" on the other end to survive.
67	* In ''Literature/FateZero'', prior to [[spoiler:his ultimately suicidal charge against Gilgamesh]], Rider orders Waver Velvet to live. It saves Waver's life not long after when Gilgamesh, who is powerful enough to squash Waver like a bug with barely any effort at all, wonders casually if Waver plans to attack him -- Waver's response impresses Gilgamesh enough to let him be.
68	--> '''Waver:''' If I challenge you, I will die.\
69	'''Gilgamesh:''' Of course.\
70	'''Waver:''' That won't do. ''I have been ordered to live.''\
71	'''Gilgamesh:''' ''[nods, and turns to go]'' Your loyalty is splendid! See to it that it never fades!
72	* In ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'', as the titans invade Trost, [[MamaBear Mikasa]] asks [[HotBlooded Eren]] not to die after he tells her to follow orders instead of [[BigSisterInstinct trying to defend him]]. He [[spoiler:[[KilledMidSentence doesn't do a very good job]]]].
73	* In ''VisualNovel/{{Hakuouki}}'', after Hijikata told Chizuru to stay by Kondou's side, she responded by promising she would risk her life to protect him. Hijikata immediately cut in and gave her the next order not to die.
74	* In ''Manga/DrStone'', Chrome refuses to carry on science if Senku dies collecting sulfuric acid, as a way of forcing him to come back alive. This is followed by a flashback to Kohaku doing the same thing for her sister Ruri. Ruri and their father asked Kohaku to memorize the [[OralTradition 100 Stories]] in case Ruri died, but she refused to let that be a possibility.
75	[[/folder]]
76
77	[[folder:Comic Books]]
78	* The ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}'' have ''"Try Not To Die"'' as their [[CatchPhrase team motto]].
79	* Zoe basically tells the Wash Bot this in the ''{{Series/Firefly}}'' comics from Boom! Studios. It has Wash’s personality and some of his memories and if it gets destroyed, it’ll be uncomfortably close to reliving real Wash’s death.
80	[[/folder]]
81
82	[[folder:Fan Works]]
83	* Just before the [[StormingTheCastle Battle of Canterlot]] in ''Fanfic/TheImmortalGame'', Twilight orders Sir Unimpressive to survive no matter what, so [[CrazyPrepared he can take over in case she dies herself.]]
84	* Said word-for-word by Firefly to Rainbow Dash in chapter 6 of ''[[Fanfic/AceCombatTheEquestrianWar Ace Combat: The Equestrian War]]''. Similar pleas happen in other parts of the story.
85	* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' of Creator/AAPessimal, this is explicitly said to the gentle and pacifistically-minded Wizard Ponder Stibbons, when circumstances dictate he finds himself on the front line on a battlefield. Ponder is helped in his fervent wish to stay alive by his rarely-carried Wizard's Staff, which follows a Staff's imperative to protect its Wizard, regardless of how many other people get blasted, zapped or sent into oblivion. He also has locally-born Assassin [[AmoralAfrikaner Heidi van Kruger]] to his left, who follows the "try not to die!" with her own incentive to keep him alive - she doesn't want to have to explain to Ponder's girlfriend that she failed to bodyguard him.
86	* Parodied in ''WebVideo/DragonballZAbridged'' when Vegeta tells Krillin, "And try not to die, god forbid you make me happy."
87	* [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII Varric tells Bethany]], in ''Fanfic/BeyondHeroes: Of Sunshine and Red Lyrium'', that this is the gist of his letters from her brother. He basically tells Varric to '[[TakeCareOfTheKids take care of my sister]] and try not to die.'
88	* ''Fanfic/PathToMunchies'' has a rare justified example, since Taylor has the Path to Victory power, so she can literally specify "I don't die" as a constraint when making plans. In fact, that's one of Danny's conditions for letting her use her power to be a hero.
89	--> '''Danny:''' Then the way I see it, as long as you make it a condition to keep yourself safe, that'll do far more than any promises the Protectorate could ever make.
90	* In the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' fic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/32567947 The Storms of War]]'', Sharon and Natasha tell each other not to die during their respective missions several times in the story.
91	[[/folder]]
92
93	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
94	* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1''. Mr Incredible is briefed for his mission to destroy a highly-adaptive battle robot that the people who made it would rather retrieve (mostly) intact. [[spoiler:Ironically Mirage is actually setting him up to be killed by that same robot.]]
95	-->'''Mr. Incredible:''' ''(summarizing)'' Shut it down, do it quickly, don't destroy it...\
96	'''Mirage:''' And don't die.
97	* From ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire'':
98	-->'''Milo:''' Anyone have any ideas?\
99	'''Vinny:''' Yeah, don't get shot.
100	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'''s strategy for defeating [[FromNobodyToNightmare Titan]].
101	-->'''Roxanne:''' What's the plan?\
102	'''Megamind:''' Well, it mostly involves not dying!\
103	'''Roxanne:''' I ''like'' that plan.
104	* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2010'': Hiccup goes through his village's dragon manual and finds that every species of dragon's entry is summarized "Extremely dangerous; kill on sight." All except for the Night Fury, a dragon so feared and deadly, that the summary is "Hide and pray it doesn't find you."
105	[[/folder]]
106
107	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
108	* ''Film/Aquaman2018''. The title character [[DistractedByTheSexy gets rather distracted]] by the BigDamnKiss Mera gives him in the middle of an underwater battlefield.
109	-->'''Arthur:''' Um... what was the plan again?\
110	'''Mera:''' The plan is to not get killed.\
111	'''Arthur:''' Yeah... good plan. Don't get killed.
112	* In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', this is among Tony's conditions for helping with the time heist.
113	--> '''Tony''': We got a shot at getting these stones, but I gotta tell you my priorities. Bring back what we lost, I hope, yes. Keep what I found, I have to at all costs. And maybe not die trying would be nice.
114	* The film ''Film/ForrestGump'': As Lt. Dan tells his platoon, "Two standing orders in this platoon: one, take good care of your feet; two, try not to do anything stupid, like getting yourself killed."
115	-->'''Forrest:''' I sure hope I don't let him down.
116	* The ''Film/JamesBond'' film ''Film/GoldenEye'': After M told Bond she had no compunctions about sending him to his death, as long as it was worth something.
117	-->'''M:''' Bond... (''Bond turns to her, and she cracks the faintest smile'') Come back alive.
118	* ''Film/TheLastOfTheMohicans'': "Stay alive, no matter what occurs!"
119	* ''Film/{{Speed}}'': DaChief frequently advises people: "Don't get dead."
120	* From ''Film/FullMetalJacket'':
121	-->'''Gunnery Sergeant Hartman:''' If your killer instincts are not clean and strong you will hesitate at the moment of truth. You will not kill. You will become dead Marines. And then you will be in a world of shit because Marines are ''[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment not allowed to die without permission]]''!
122	* ''Film/{{Passchendaele}}''. "There's only one rule. Don't die."
123	* In the movie ''Film/RookieOfTheYear'', a kid basically gets a major-league pitching arm by accident. He signs with the Chicago Cubs, and soon after that is forced to take a turn at bat (since the Cubs play in the league without a Designated Hitter). The batting coach is called in to talk strategy with him but in the end, the situation is so ridiculous that he can't come up with anything but "Don't die."
124	* ''Film/ThirteenDays'':
125	** A twisted version.
126	--->'''Officer:''' The president has instructed me to pass along an order to you: You are not to get shot down.\
127	'''Pilot:''' Uh, we'll do our best, sir.\
128	'''Officer:''' I don't think you understand me correctly. You are not to get shot down under any circumstances. Whatever happens up there, you were not shot at. Mechanical failures are fine, crashing into mountains, fine. But you and your men are not to be shot at, fired at, launched upon.... If you are fired upon, the President will be forced to attack the sites that fired on you. He doesn't want to have to do that. It's very important that he doesn't, [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt or things could get very badly out of control.]]
129	** Sure enough, when the pilots in question return from their mission, [[AntiAir wings riddled with holes]], they [[BlatantLies claim to have hit a flock of sparrows.]]
130	* ''Film/TeamAmericaWorldPolice'' parodies this (like everything else) were Gary is promised sex if he promises not to die. He emphatically states "I PROMISE I WILL NEVER DIE," and they immediately go through a pretty explicit sex scene [[FetishRetardant (don't worry they're marionettes.)]]
131	* In ''Film/AmericanDreamz'', a fresh recruit in Iraq asks the more experienced soldier riding next to him in a jeep for any tips. The tip he receives is "Don't get shot". The troop commits this to memory, and a bullet promptly comes through the side of the jeep and wounds him.
132	* A variant in ''Film/{{Gladiator}}'':
133	-->'''Senator Gracchus:''' And you stay alive - or I'll be dead.
134	* In ''Film/TheUntouchables1987'', Malone gives the following advice to Ness when they end their first meeting and Ness says that he's going home.
135	-->'''Malone:''' Well, then you've just fulfilled the first rule of law enforcement: make sure when your shift is over, you go home alive. Here endeth the lesson.
136	[[/folder]]
137
138	[[folder:Literature]]
139	* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':
140	** The three rules of the Borogravian army in ''Literature/MonstrousRegiment'', as explained by [[SergeantRock Sergeant Jackrum]]:
141	--->'''Jackrum:''' One obey orders, two give it to the enemy good and hard, three don't die! I intend to assist you in the execution of all three!
142	** In ''Literature/FeetOfClay'', Vimes orders Corporal Littlebottom to ''not'' let go of the slippery pole she's clinging to and fall in the giant vat of molten candle wax down below. This book also introduces the Dwarves' version of this trope; they have an ancient battle cry of "Today is a good day for someone else to die!"
143	** In another Watch novel, Lady Sybil says to Vimes "Try not to get hurt", and he replies with something like "I always do, dear. The criminals don't always co-operate, though."
144	** General Tacticus welcomes fighting a man willing to die for his country, it means the both of you have the same goal in mind.
145	* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime,'' the Aiel's standard way to say good night is "Sleep well and wake." (As in, live long enough to wake up tomorrow.)
146	* In Creator/DavidGemmell's ''[[Literature/{{Drenai}} Legend]]'', as the [[ZergRush unstoppable horde]] reaches the thin line of defenders, the reluctant hero asks Druss: "Any last words of advice?"
147	-->'''Druss:''' "Live."
148	* The last line of ''[[Literature/WickedLovely Radiant Shadows]]'' is Devlin telling Seth "Try not to die, brother."
149	* Haymitch's repeated line of "advice" for how to survive ''Literature/TheHungerGames'': "Stay alive."
150	* Aphrodite and Stevie Rae have these moments occasionally in ''Literature/TheHouseOfNight''. Used to show serious character development given that [[spoiler:Aphrodite treated Stevie Rae like she was only good for being a snack and Stevie Rae tried to kill Aphrodite twice before her humanity was restored]].
151	* In ''Literature/HeartOfSteel'', this is roughly Julia's advice to Alistair before she leaves him to certain grievous injury at the hands of cyborg Jim while she tries to reach the manual override of a door that's preventing them from escaping.
152	* In the {{Novelization}} of ''Literature/RevengeOfTheSith'', the first Jedi principle of combat is "survive." At least once, Obi-Wan reflects on how often Anakin seems to forget this.
153	* In one of the ''[[Literature/XWingSeries Wraith Squadron]]'' novels, Wedge Antilles finishes his briefing with this instruction, and Kell Tainer responds by pretending to type it into his datapad.
154	-->'''Kell:''' No... get... killed. I'll try to remember.
155	[[/folder]]
156
157	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
158	* ''Series/{{Angel}}'': This exchange, during "[[Recap/AngelS05E22NotFadeAway Not Fade Away]]".
159	-->'''Illyria:''' Try not to die. [[IUhYouToo You are not unpleasant to my eyes]].\
160	'''Gunn:''' Uh, thanks. You... try not to die too.
161	* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
162	** Buffy to Faith:
163	--->'''Buffy:''' First rule of being a Slayer? ''Don't die!''
164	** Also, Willow:
165	--->'''Willow:''' It's part of our whole mission statement. Don't get killed!
166	** As the Scoobies go on a mission to destroy a vampire nest, Anya cheerfully waves them out. "Have a nice day. Don't get killed!"
167	* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'', Bob to Mohinder:
168	-->'''Bob:''' As of now, your blood is the only cure for that virus. Try not to get yourself killed.
169	* ''Series/BurnNotice'': In the third season premiere, Fi tells Michael "I'm glad you're alive, try to keep it that way." Considering everything that happened in the second {{season finale}}, this almost seems understated.
170	* In the pilot of ''Series/LostGirl'', Bo has to fight a couple of Under Fae with no experience whatsover, so Dyson allows her to feed off him to regain her strength, and gives her some advice as well.
171	-->'''Dyson:''' You'll be faster, you'll be smarter. They're going to underestimate you; use that to your advantage.
172	-->'''Bo:''' I misjudged you. You got any other advice?
173	-->'''Dyson:''' Don't get dead.
174	-->'''Bo:''' And you're back to being an asshole. Nice.
175	* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': A variation: "I am Chief Miles Edward O'Brien, I'm very much alive and I intend to stay that way!" That one was actually a subversion of the Jem'hadar's standard "I am dead" RousingSpeech.
176	* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'': Played straight in an episode when Tom steps into a "non-lethal" bout with a Klingon warrior, subverting a popular Klingon PreAssKickingOneLiner.
177	-->'''B'Elanna:''' Today would be a very ''bad'' day to die.
178	* In ''Series/TheYoungIndianaJonesChronicles'' episode "Attack of the Hawkmen", Indy leaves his war buddy Remy with a hug and an order to stay alive. Made all the more poignant by the fact that "Music/TheMinstrelBoy" is playing in the background.
179	* An episode of ''Series/StargateSG1'' has Daniel [[ItMakesSenseInContext tricking Lord Yu into believing he is his personal slave]], and accompanying him to a meeting of all the Systems Lords.
180	-->'''Yu:''' Do not embarrass me by allowing yourself to be killed.
181	* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In "A Good Man Goes to War", Amy says this to Rory.
182	-->'''Amy:''' No offense, yeah, but you let them all die first.\
183	'''Rory:''' You're so Scottish.
184	* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
185	** Tyrion and his mercenary swordsman Bronn exchange these before the Battle of the Blackwater; they immediately try to cover this FriendshipMoment with some [[WorldOfSnark mutual snarking]].
186	--->'''Bronn:''' Don't get killed.\
187	'''Tyrion:''' ''[shaking hands]'' Nor you, my friend.\
188	'''Bronn:''' Oh, we're friends now?\
189	'''Tyrion:''' Of course! Just because I pay you for your services doesn't diminish our friendship!\
190	'''Bronn:''' No. Enhances it, really.\
191	'''Tyrion:''' Ooh, 'enhances'. Fancy words from a sellsword!\
192	'''Bronn:''' Been spendin' time with fancy folk.
193	** Subverted in Season 8 when Bronn, annoyed at how he's been short-changed by both Lannister brothers, extorts a promise to make him Lord of Highgarden in exchange for not killing them.
194	--->'''Bronn:''' No, my fighting days are done. [[ImpliedDeathThreat But I've still got a few killing days left]], do you hear me? I'll come find you when the war is done. Until then... don't die.
195	* [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in Episode 5 of ''Series/{{Loki\|2021}}'':
196	-->'''[[spoiler: Classic Loki:]]''' Tough. Gotta keep moving so we don't die.
197	-->'''Loki:''' I can get behind that, but what's your plan?
198	-->'''[[spoiler: Classic Loki:]]''' Don't die!
199	-->'''Loki:''' I understood, but ''beyond'' that?
200	-->'''[[spoiler: Classic Loki:]]''' Don't die!
201	-->'''Loki:''' "Don't die" isn't a ''plan;'' it's a ''general demand of living.''
202	* In the eighth season finale for ''Series/{{Bones}}'', as Booth prepares for his next encounter with serial killer Pelant, Brennan ([[spoiler:who had just proposed to him]]) tells him, "You are not allowed to die."
203	* On ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'', Bobbi and Lance tell each other not to die before missions.
204	* ''Series/{{Arrow}}''. In Season 8, Oliver Queen tells his sister Thea that the Monitor has foreseen his imminent death, and is annoyed at her [[SeenItAll underwhelming response]] as due to the number of times he's turned out to be NotQuiteDead, she assumes her brother will survive as always. But knowing Oliver believes otherwise, she encourages him not to die at the end of the episode. [[spoiler:This time however Oliver really does die.]]
205
206	[[/folder]]
207
208	[[folder:Music]]
209	* A line in the lyrics of the Music/XJapan song ''Born To Be Free'' is "Try to hide, try not to die."
210	* [[http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=100625 "Don't Get Killed"]] by the comedy writer Andy Breckman.
211	-->Oh my God, we're out of milk\
212	It's the middle of the night and we're out of milk\
213	The grocery store's four blocks away\
214	[[DirtyCoward Good luck, Mary, don't get killed]]
215	* Music/MitchBenn's version for celebrities is slightly different:
216	-->Try not to die, whatever you do\
217	The same time as someone more famous than you
218	[[/folder]]
219
220	[[folder:Podcasts]]
221	* Jon from ''Podcast/TheMagnusArchives'' says one when he has to go save Martin, leaving Basira to deal with Not-Sasha, Trevor, Julia, and Daisy after she gives into the Hunt.
222	[[/folder]]
223
224	[[folder:Theatre]]
225	* In ''The Creator/WillRogers Follies'', when Will Rogers is about to fly to Alaska with Wiley Post, his wife Betty tells him that if he gets himself killed, she'll never speak to him again. Unfortunately, [[ItWasHisSled he does.]]
226	[[/folder]]
227
228	[[folder:Video Games]]
229	* ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'':
230	** One of the most prominent taglines is: "There's only one ultimate rule in war: '''Survive'''"
231	** The briefings for the final levels of most of the games often end with the officer telling you to come back alive; ''Zero'' and ''[[VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar 5]]'' in particular both punctuate this with "anything less is not acceptable".
232	* Used in ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore 4'''s infamously hard "Marche Au Supplice" mission. It's an optional mission that is not required to clear the chapter, but it is undoubtedly the hardest, with you taking on 4 [=NEXTs=] at once. While your Operator assures you of your ability to do that, the fact that she uses this trope is indicative on how hard it is.
233	* ''VideoGame/AtlasReactor'': Orion has a variant on what happens when this trope crosses with AGodAmI.
234	-->'''Orion:''' You are '''not permitted''' to die. ''[activates [[EmpathicHealer Fate Transfer]]]''
235	* ''VideoGame/{{Boktai}}'' Baron Stoker of ''Lunar Knights'' takes a moment before his boss battle with Aaron and Lucian gloating about how his armor is supposedly invincible. The dialogue ends with this exact wording.
236	-->'''Lucian:''' [[AC:Come on. You're a vampire. Do you really think you can retain control over the power of the sun?]]\
237	'''Stoker:''' [[AC: I intend to prove that with this very experiment. I beg you... try not to die too quickly, mmm?]]
238	* ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'':
239	** The Dr. Zed vending machines occasionally say this verbatim when you exit from them.
240	** Marcus' machines go with "Don't die! ''I'' need your business!"
241	** The tradition continues in ''VideoGame/BorderlandsThePreSequel'', with Marcus's lines copied across verbatim and Nina's vending machines telling you "Do not die! You good for business!"
242	* Each boss of ''VideoGame/{{Catherine}}'' is introduced with the female announcer saying, in her usual deadpan tone, "[Boss's Name] has appeared. [[BlindIdiotTranslation It's the killer.]] Do not die."
243	* Used by Ayla in ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' during the assault on the [[TRexpy Tyranno]] Lair.
244	* In ''VideoGame/TheCrookedMan'', Paul tells David to come back safely. "I don't wanna go to my friend's funeral!"
245	* ''Franchise/DragonAge'':
246	** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'': In the City Elf origin, the PC will ask Duncan (a human) to leave the Alienage. Duncan refuses, pointing out there is little that the PC can do about it, as he is both armed and armoured. If the PC challenges him to a fight anyway, the main character's cousin (who has been listening in on this exchange) will say "Try not to die! I'll run for help!"
247	** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'': It's a sign of the [[WorthyOpponent begrudging respect]] that the Arishok develops for Hawke that he often ends their conversations in this way, instead of the "Begone!" he reserves for everyone else, including [[AuthorityInNameOnly the Viscount]].
248	--->'''Arishok:''' ''Panahedan''. [[note]]Literally "take refuge in safety"[[/note]] Hawke. I do not hope you die.
249	** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'': Blackwall asks Solas for advice on fighting demons. "Survive the first thirty heartbeats." Blackwall is annoyed that he's basically just saying "don't die," but Solas clarifies that demons are generally unimaginative, and if you survive the first thirty heartbeats, you've probably seen all their tricks.
250	--->'''Blackwall:''' Ahh, that ''is'' helpful! I will try to remember that.\
251	'''Solas:''' Also, try not to die.
252	* ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'':
253	** One of the hints shown in the loading screens states: "Take Less Damage To Avoid Getting Killed".
254	** Parodied with another one that tells you "if you died from falling off a high ledge, it's probably your own fault".
255	* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'':
256	** During the Dark Brotherhood storyline, if you talk Antoinetta Marie before one of your missions, she says "Hope you don't get killed! I mean..."
257	** In the expansion ''Shivering Isles'', Sheogorath says this to the player before sending them off to "understand" the place.
258	* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'':
259	** If you accept Jarl Skald the Elder's bounty to deal with a giant, he sends you off with "I'm counting on you. ...Try not to get stepped on."
260	** The last thing Galmar Stone-Fist says to you before you go kill an ice wraith to join the Stormcloaks is to not die.
261	* Said very cheerfully by Moira Brown in ''VideoGame/Fallout3''. While she generally behaves in a [[CloudCuckooLander batshit insane manner]], some dialogue suggests [[GallowsHumor this]] is just her way to cope with life in a wasteland. You can make her permanently like that with the right ([[YouMonster wrong?]]) choices.
262	* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'':
263	** Greil mentions this relatively early in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Fire Emblem 9]]''. Right before the final chapter, Ike gives a speech and mentions how he finally learned [[TrueCompanions what it means]].
264	** Henry says this word for word if he's a supporter during pair-ups in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening''
265	* Crops up at least twice in the ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' games, said usually by hapless secondary characters or currently-unavailable main characters. For example, Jenna calls out, "Isaac, Garet! Don't die!" at a suitably dramatic point not long before the pair hears the call. Given how blatant the lines are, this is potentially lampshade-hanging.
266	* ''VideoGame/GundamVsSeries'': In ''Gundam Extreme Vs'', [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Heero and Zechs]] say this to one another in ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWingEndlessWaltz Endless Waltz]]'''s opening movie. "Don't die!" "You either!"
267	* The Wrath/Saturn stage of ''Cardinal Sins -VideoGame/JudgementSilversword Recycle Edition-'' simply has the caption "Don't die." This is the point of the mode: You get a higher grade the fewer lives you lose, with the highest awarded for [[NoDamageRun not dying at all]].
268	* In ''VideoGame/{{Jumper}} Two Editor'', the default tip for help-boxes is "Don't die".
269	* Immediately before the defense of Khoonda in ''[[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic Knights of the Old Republic II]]'', the player is asked to give a RousingSpeech to the defenders. Part of the light-side option is "Don't get shot."
270	* Variation in ''VideoGame/LastScenario'':
271	-->'''[[SergeantRock Matilda]]:''' [[TheStrategist You]]'d better come back alive. Otherwise I'll have no one to blame for this mess.
272	* ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'': If the player has made mainly decisions that Wrex doesn't like, he will say something like this before you go to summon Kalros.
273	-->'''Wrex:''' I know you're doing this for your own reasons, Shepard, but try to make sure you don't get your ass killed. I wouldn't know what to say at your funeral.
274	* Snake says this to Otacon near the end of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid.''
275	* And in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'', Ocelot says "Don't you die on me yet" after Snake falls a very, very long way. It's part TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou, part HoYay.
276	* It's part of your final order in ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion'':
277	-->'''Ship's Computer:''' Samus, this is your last mission. [[spoiler:Go to the Operations Room and adjust the station's orbit path to intercept [=SR388=]. Then return to your ship and escape. Move quickly, and stay alive. That's an order! Any objections, Lady?]]
278	* Aribeth says something like this to you near the end of the original campaign of ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' if you choose the correct conversation paths earlier.
279	* Used by Silvia to Travis verbatim in ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes''. Bear in mind, her usual parting statement (before her {{Catchphrase}}) before boss battles is predicting an increasingly high probability that he'll get killed.
280	* In ''VideoGame/{{Normality}}'', after Dai is shot and left to be captured by the Norms, Kent tells him these exact words.
281	* Bain's infinite wisdom in ''VideoGame/PAYDAY2'' gives you this line when an assault begins:
282	-->'''Bain:''' Don't die.
283	* ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4Remake'': At the beginning of Chapter 6 of ''Separate Ways'', Ada and Leon have a video call in which she shares the location of Los Illuminados' important facilities, including a lab that can cure Leon and Ashley of their parasites. She tells Leon "Don't die on me now", although it's after the call ends, so it's more of a prayer. The reason being Leon is heading in a different direction than her, so she can't intervene to help him if the situation turns south.
284	* In the ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheDarksideChronicles'' chapter "Memories of a Lost City" (a retelling of [=RE2=]), while patching Leon up after he [[TakingTheBullet took a bullet]] for her, Ada tells him not to die and that she [[IOweYouMyLife owes him for saving her life]].
285	* ''VideoGame/StarControlII'':
286	** "Try to avoid getting gruesomely killed, Captain!" is one of the things Base Commander Hayes says to you as you depart. He seems perfectly ''cheerful'' when he says it, too...
287	** Also, the traditional Spathi prayer: "Oh God! ''Please'' don't let me die today! Tomorrow would be ''so much'' better!"
288	* ''VideoGame/StarFox64'': Mostly from Falco.
289	-->'''Falco:''' Try to stay in one piece, huh, Fox?"
290	* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'': [[VideoGame/StarFox64 Falco]] does this enough that it shows up in crossover games.
291	-->'''Falco:''' Try to stay alive, huh Fox?
292	* ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'':
293	** Kratos says this to Lloyd on the night before you enter the Tower Of Salvation -- [[spoiler:a somewhat ironic usage given he is TheMole and has no qualms with handing the party their asses the next day, even if he balks at actually finishing them off.]] One or two times after that as well, although this time, he wishes for Lloyd not to die to himself. [[spoiler:He is Lloyd's father after all]].
294	--->'''Kratos:''' Don't die, Lloyd... before I do...
295	** Lloyd later says this [[spoiler:to Regal right before his YouShallNotPass moment, telling him that he doesn't want to experience the same pain of loss that he went through.]]
296	* In ''VideoGame/ThemeHospital'', the Public Address announcer will sometimes glibly announce "Patients are reminded ''not'' to die in the corridors!"
297	* "Stay alive" seems to be a common farewell words in ''VideoGame/{{X}}-Universe''.
298	[[/folder]]
299
300	[[folder:Webcomics]]
301	* Ti'el from ''Webcomic/TheWotch:'' "No dying. You still owe me lunch." (Ti'el's partner, Glock, responded with "If I die, I'll buy you ''two.'')
302	* ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'':
303	** Schlock sums up a briefing thusly:
304	--->'''Schlock:''' Look sharp, weapons ready, don't get dead.
305	** [[https://schlockmercenary.com/2004-01-28 It's also their first priority:]] To survive long enough to get paid. Naturally, ''getting'' paid is a very close number two. They make sure not to put "The customer is job three" in their flyers, no matter how accurate it is.
306	* ''Webcomic/NoNeedForBushido'':
307	** Phrased as "Don't die" in [[http://nn4b.com/comic/293 this]] comic.
308	** Not to mention Ken's [[http://nn4b.com/comic/350 advice on war,]] which ends up turning into a SurvivalMantra -- [[http://nn4b.com/comic/400 "Don't stop not dying!"]]
309	* In ''Webcomic/{{Girly}}''
310	-->'''Officer Hipbone:''' Just don't go getting yourself ''killed'', okay?\
311	'''Officer Getskilled:''' I'll try my best not to!
312	* ''Webcomic/GoneWithTheBlastwave'': [[http://www.blastwave-comic.com/index.php?p=comic&nro=29 just read it]].
313	* That's [[http://www.precociouscomic.com/archive/comic/2010/10/12 Rule #1]] in ''WebComic/{{Precocious}}''.
314	* [[ActionSurvivor Moloch Von Zinzer]] in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' is constantly telling ''himself'' this, and has so far done a pretty good job of it. Best detailed [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080917#.XjXJSCN7lPY here]].
315	[[/folder]]
316
317	[[folder:Web Original]]
318	* Used [[{{Catchphrase}} repeatedly]] in LetsPlay/SirRonLionheart's LetsPlay of ''VideoGame/ContraIIITheAlienWars'': "Remember kid, don't get dead." [[spoiler:[[NoDeathRun He doesn't.]]]]
319	[[/folder]]
320
321	[[folder:Western Animation]]
322	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': In "Anne Or Beast?", as Sprig runs off to investigate the sightings of a "monster", his little sister Polly shouts "Don't die!"
323	* ''WesternAnimation/BlueEyeSamurai''. In the Season One finale, the title character has her apprentice recite a list of instructions for the rescue of Princess Akemi, the last of which is "Do not die."
324	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'':
325	** There's an episode where a group of the JL women have been brainwashed and thrown into a ring to [[{{Catfight}} fight it out for the entertainment of a crowd]]. They manage to overcome the brainwashing, but then the four of them get pitted against a brainwashed Wonder Woman, and this trope is basically what they think of their chances. [[https://youtu.be/jxPGCefNu88?t=104 Youtube link]]
326	--->'''Vixen:''' So, anyone got a plan?\
327	'''Shayera:''' Yeah. Try to stay alive.\
328	'''Huntress:''' Anybody have a ''good'' plan?
329	** Unfortunately Huntress follows up that quip by attempting to [[ShootingSuperman shoot Wonder Woman with a crossbow bolt,]] which definitely qualifies as a bad plan.
330	* ''WesternAnimation/RoughnecksStarshipTroopersChronicles'' would invert the battle cry "Do you wanna live forever?!" before beginning a mission: "Live forever, apes!"
331	* In the finale of the second season of ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'', Brock Sampson says this verbatim to Hank Venture.
332	* ''WesternAnimation/DanVs'': Dan asks Elise, as a favor to him, to not die while [[ItMakesSenseInContext fighting the ninja]]. [[{{Jerkass}} If only because it means he'll come after him next]].
333	* On ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010,'' {{ComicBook/Nightwing}} says this to [[ComicBook/Robin1993 Tim]][[LegacyCharacter !Robin]] right before he goes off to lead his first squad. It comes off [[HarsherInHindsight harsher]] when we find out that yes, in this universe, [[ComicBook/RedHood Jason Todd]] [[DeadSidekick has died in action]].
334	* Occasionally said in ''WesternAnimation/GeneratorRex'' to the point it's almost the series' slogan.
335	-->'''Bobo Haha:''' Good luck. Try not to die.\
336	'''Doctor Holiday:''' Try not to die this time.
337	[[/folder]]
338
339	[[folder:Real Life]]
340	* George Carlin comments in a standup routine; "I don't wanna die. I wanna live. That's the secret to life, you know - ''not dying!''"
341	* George S. Patton famously stated, "The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for ''his''!"
342	* There is a story of a lecture from Marine training during WWII. "Every Japanese soldier you face has been told it is his duty to die for the Emperor. Your duty is to assist him in accomplishing his duty in any way possible." Marine humor being what it is, the modern version of the joke replaces "Japanese soldier" with "terrorist" and "the Emperor" with "Allah."
343	* You could say this is a deconstruction- before the invasion of Normandy in 1944, Major Howard (6th Airborne, first unit to arrive in France and engage the Germans) was visited by Montgomery, the overall British commander. Monty told him that 'whatever happens, bring the boys back home alive' (paraphrased) Howard later recalled that while he understood the brass didn't want a repeat of [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarI the Great War]], he believed their duty was not to survive but to accomplish the mission, and that's what Monty should have given the pep talk about. Part of the brass' concerns about keeping the troops alive and safe probably stemmed from the disastrous results of the Battle of France. An army that is beaten but escapes can come back to fight another day; an army that is wiped out or captured could spell the loss of the war.
344	* "Nie bądź głupi - nie daj się zabić!" - Don't be a fool, don't get killed - was a sort of a motto for Polish Army in 1944.
345	[[/folder]]

Context Main / TryNotToDie