or else

idiom

1

—used to say what will happen if something is not done

You have to leave or else you will be arrested for trespassing.

2

—used to say what another possibility is

He either thinks he can't do it or else he just isn't interested.

3

informal

—used in angry speech to express a threat without saying exactly what the threat is

Do what I say or else!

Examples of or else in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All of this raises the stakes for HPE and Juniper to fight the DOJ to make the deal happen or else look at other strategies. —R. Scott Raynovich, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Hackman would delve into art and literature, writing most mornings by longhand and never past two o’clock in the afternoon, by his own admission, or else the writing would keep him up all night. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025

President Donald Trump’s Education Department has a simple message to schools: ban all diversity, equity and inclusion at school or else. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

At 28-27, tied for ninth place in the Western Conference, something will have to change or else the Warriors will enter the postseason in a position that has never produced a champion. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025