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

If eventually forced to pay state minimum wages across the country, the company could decide to pay detainees more or else hire outside employees at all its locations – either of which would potentially eat into its profits, stock price and dividends. —Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2025

These, in turn, work to balance hormones or else block the ones that are responsible for shrinking hair follicles. —Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025

After killing a baby Creeper, leading the mother Creeper to gather her fellow beasts and surround Marshall’s spaceship, Marshall sends 17 and 18 out to kill Creepers or else get blown up. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025

If the seller is behind on dues or failed to pay an extra assessment, someone will have to make up those fees, or else the lender won’t close. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025