someone's number is up

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Phrase

someone's number is up

1. (informal) It is someone's time to die, or to undergo some other difficult experience.
   • 2014 December 16, Fujino Omori, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Vol. 1 (light novel), Yen Press LLC, →ISBN:

     Even in this hopeless situation, I don't feel like my number's up. I have to reach the next level, get closer to her. I don't have time to play with the monsters down here. I'm in the eye of a storm of howls and roars, but I'm different […]

   • 2012 July 3, DW Gibson, Not Working: People Talk About Losing a Job and Finding Their Way in Today's Changing Economy, Penguin, →ISBN:

     So I just thought, well, my number's up. I'm going to get some stupid assignment that nobody wants.