The expression "will be the death of me" is a figurative way of saying that something is causing extreme frustration, stress, or exasperation to the point that it feels overwhelming or unbearable. It does not imply literal death but rather emphasizes the intensity of the emotions or situation.
When someone says, "This [something] will be the death of me," they are usually expressing a strong feeling of being overwhelmed, annoyed, or at their wit's end due to a specific circumstance, problem, or person. It's a way of venting frustration and can be used humorously to describe a situation that feels particularly challenging or difficult to handle.
For example:
- "This never-ending traffic jam will be the death of me. I've been stuck here for hours!"
- "My boss's constant micromanaging will be the death of me. I can't take it anymore!"
- "Trying to figure out this math problem will be the death of me. I just don't get it!"
The phrase is used to emphasize the emotional impact of a situation, but it is not to be taken literally as a prediction of actual death. It's simply an idiomatic expression to describe feelings of extreme frustration or exasperation.