History Main / TryNotToDie

* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles''. 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:Mirage is actually setting him up to be killed by that same robot.]]
-->'''Mr. Incredible:''' Shut it down, do it quickly, don't destroy it...\\

--->'''Buffy:''' First rule of being a slayer? ''Don't die!''

* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'': Played straight in an episode when Tom steps into a "non-lethal" bout with a Klingon warrior.

** 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.

* In Creator/DavidGemmell's ''Literature/{{Legend}}'', as the [[ZergRush unstoppable horde]] reaches the thin line of defenders, the reluctant hero asks Druss: "Any last words of advice?"

* 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.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

[[folder:Fan Fiction]]
* 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.]]

[[folder:Film -- Animated]]

[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

--> '''B'Elanna:''' Today would be a very ''bad'' day to die.
* In the ''Series/YoungIndianaJones Chronicles'' 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.

* Parodied in WebVideo/DragonballZAbridged when Vegeta tells Krillen "And try not to die, god forbid you make me happy"

** She also gives a variant of this [[spoiler: just before Alucard vanishes. *sniff*]]

-->'''Graham Aker''': ''(wingman blows up)'' "I thought I told you not to die!"

* 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.

--> "So how did the revenge go?"
--> "I died!"
* ''Anime/KiddyGrade'' - [[spoiler: Éclair]] to her troops in a flashback: "one final order: don't get killed."
* 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...

* 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]]]].

[[folder:Film -Animated]]

[[folder:Film -Live Action]]

--> '''Forrest''': I hope I don't let him down.

--> '''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.

* 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]].

--> '''B'Elanna''': Today would be a very ''bad'' day to die.

--->'''Yu''': Do not embarrass me by allowing yourself to be killed.

-->'''Amy''': No offense, yeah, but you let them all die first.\\

'''Tyrion:''' (shaking hands) Nor you, my friend.\\

* 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."

-->'''Lucian:''' [[AC:Come on. You're a vampire. Do you really think you can retain control over the power of the sun? ]]\\
'''Stoker:''' [[AC: I intend to prove that with this very experiment. I beg you... try not to die too quickly, mmm? ]]

--> '''Arishok''': ''Panahedan''. [[note]]Literally "take refuge in safety"[[/note]] Hawke. I do not hope you die.

--> '''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?]]

--> '''Bain:''' Don't die.

--->'''Schlock''': Look sharp, weapons ready, don't get dead.

-->'''Officer Hipbone''': Just don't go getting yourself ''killed'', okay?\\
'''Officer Getskilled''': I'll try my best not to!

* Used [[{{Catchphrase}} repeatedly]] in LetsPlay/SirRonLionheart's LetsPlay of ''VideoGame/{{Contra}} 3'': "Remember kid, don't get dead." [[spoiler: [[NoDeathRun He doesn't.]]]]

--> '''Bobo Haha''': Good luck. Try not to die.\\
'''Doctor Holiday''': Try not to die this time.

* ''Series/{{Angel}}'': This exchange, during the series finale.

[[quoteright:299:[[ComicBook/{{Runaways}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b44801f7ed82182790742f712159bea2.jpg]]]][[caption-width-right:299:Nobeating about the bush. Especially with that big stick she's carrying.]]

[[quoteright:299:[[ComicBook/{{Runaways}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b44801f7ed82182790742f712159bea2.jpg]]]]

** 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.

* 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."

* In ''Film/TheUntouchables'', Malone give the following advice to Ness when they end their first meeting and Ness says that he's going home.

* Aphrodite and Stevie Rae have these moments occassionally 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]].

---> '''Yu''' : Do not embarrass me by allowing yourself to be killed.

** During the the Dark Brotherhood storyline, if you talk Antoinetta Marie before one of your missions, she says "Hope you don't get killed! I mean..."

* Occasionally said in ''WesternAnimation/GeneratorRex'' to the point it's almost the serie's slogan.

* 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 which is beaten but escapes can come back to fight another day; an army which is wiped out or captured could spell the loss of the war.

** The three rules of the Borogravian army in ''Discworld/MonstrousRegiment'', as explained by [[SergeantRock Sergeant Jackrum]]:

** In ''Discworld/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.

* From ''Disney/AtlantisTheLostEmpire'':

* Wraith Squadron in the ''ComicBook/XWingSeries'' has one of these. Wedge Antilles finishes his briefing with this instruction, and Kell Tainer responds by pretending to type it into his datapad.
-->'''Kell:''' No... get... killed. I'll try to remember.

-->'''Hawkeye:''' I won't die... I've... been ordered not to die, you see.

-->'''Misaka:''' The [[WagerSlave penalty game]]!\\

--> '''Waver:''' If I challenge you, I will die.
--> '''Gilgamesh:''' Of course.
--> '''Waver:''' That won't do. ''I have been ordered to live.''
--> '''Gilgamesh:''' ''[nods, and turns to go]'' Your loyalty is splendid! See to it that it never fades!

-->'''Kell:''' "No... get... killed. I'll try to remember."

* The Film/JamesBond film ''Film/GoldenEye'':

** And this is after she told him she had no compunctions about sending him to his death, as long as it was worth something.
* ''Film/TheLastOfTheMohicans'':
-->''"Stay alive, no matter what occurs!"''
* ''Film/{{Speed}}'': DaChief frequently advises people:
-->''"Don't get dead."''

* 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.
--> [Walks up. Looks at kid, starts to advise him, stops. Thinks again.] "''Don't die''."
* A twisted version, from the the movie ''Film/ThirteenDays'':
-->"The president has instructed me to pass along an order to you: You are not to get shot down."\\
"Uh, we'll do our best, sir."\\
"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.]]"

--> Senator Gracchus: "And you stay alive - or I'll be dead."

-->"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!"

-->'''Druss:''' "Live."\\
[[spoiler:He does.]]

* This exchange, during the series finale of ''Series/{{Angel}}''.
-->'''Illyria:''' Try not to die. [[IUhYouToo You are not unpleasant to my eyes]].
-->'''Gunn:''' Uh, thanks. You... try not to die too.
-->-- ''Series/{{Angel}}'', "Not Fade Away"

-->"First rule of being a slayer? '''Don't die!'''"
** Also, Willow
--->"It's part of our whole mission statement. Don't get killed!"

-->"As of now, your blood is the only cure for that virus. Try not to get yourself killed."

-->'''Amy''': No offense, yeah, but you let them all die first.
-->'''Rory:''' You're so Scottish.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones''. 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]].
-->'''Bronn:''' Don't get killed.
-->'''Tyrion:''' (shaking hands) Nor you, my friend.
-->'''Bronn:''' Oh, we're friends now?\\

-->'''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.

* ''VideoGame/StarFox64:''
** Falco:
-->"Don't go dying on me!"
** Also:
-->"Try to stay in one piece, huh, Fox?"
** Also, Falco in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'':
-->"Try to stay alive, huh Fox?"

** 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]]
--->"Don't die, Lloyd" and "Don't die, Lloyd...before I do..."

-->[[AC: Lucian: Come on. You're a vampire. Do you really think you can retain control over the power of the sun? ]]
-->[[AC: Stoker: I intend to prove that with this very experiment. I beg you... try not to die too quickly, mmm? ]]

* One of the most prominent tagline in ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'' is:
-->"There's only one ultimate rule in war: '''Survive'''"

* In ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'' expansion ''Shivering Isles'', Sheogorath says this to the player before sending them off to "understand" the place.
** Also, in regular ''Oblivion'' during the the Dark Brotherhood storyline, if you talk Antoinetta Marie before one of your missions, she says "Hope you don't get killed! I mean..."
* In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', 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." The last thing Galmar Stone-Fist says to you before you go kill an ice wraith in the Joining the Stormcloaks quest is this word for word.

* In the City Elf origin of ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'', 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!"
* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', it's a sign of the [[WorthyOpponent begrudging respect]] 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]].
--> '''Arishok''': ''Panahedan''[[note]]Literally "take refuge in safety"[[/note]] Hawke. I do not hope you die.
* In ''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.

* One of the hints shown in the loading screens of ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'' states: "Take Less Damage To Avoid Getting Killed".

* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', if the player has made mainly decisions that Wrex doesn't like, he will say the following before you go to summon Kalros.
-->"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."

-->'''Orion:''' You are '''not permitted''' to die. ''*Activates [[EmpathicHealer Fate Transfer]]*''

* In ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'', Schlock sums up a briefing thusly:
-->'''Schlock''': Look sharp, weapons ready, don't get dead.

*** [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20000804.html Sometimes survival comes in second.]] It probably depends on how broke they are.
* Phrased as "Don't die" in [[http://nn4b.com/comic/293 this]] ''Webcomic/NoNeedForBushido'' comic.

* In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'' 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vBRl_jT9z0 Youtube link]]
-->'''Vixen:''' So, anyone got a plan?\\

* ''WesternAnimation/RoughnecksStarshipTroopersChronicles'' would invert the battle cry "Do you wanna live forever?!" before beginning a mission:
-->"Live forever, apes!"

--> '''Bobo Haha''': Good luck. Try not to die.
--> '''Doctor Holiday''': Try not to die this time.

** This is the only order Roy Mustang gives to his team just before they [[spoiler:begin their rebellion in Central]]. Later, Hawkeye [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments 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.

** Subverted in Season 8 when Bronn, annoyed at how he's been short-changed by both Lannister brothers, extorts a promise to be Lord of Highgarden in exchange for not killing them.

* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'': Hiccup goes through his village's dragon manual and finds that every species of dragon is marked with the warning "Extremely dangerous; kill on sight." All except for Night Fury, a dragon so feared and deadly, that the book warns "Hide and pray it doesn't find you."

* In Creator/DavidGemmell's ''Literature/{{Legend}}'', as the [[ZergRush unstoppable horde]] reaches the thin line of defenders, the reluctant hero asks BadassGrandpa Druss: "Any last words of advice?"

-->'''Orion:''' You are '''not permitted''' to die. ''*Activates [[EmpatheticHealer Fate Transfer]]*''

** 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 [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming encourage the "stranger" on the other end to survive]].

* ''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.)]]

--->"Try to stay in one piece, huh, Fox?"

--->"Try to stay alive, huh Fox?"