The idiom the hill you want to die on is believed to have originated in the military context, signifying a battle, typically fought on a hill (the high ground being strategically advantageous), that a soldier is willing to die for due to its significant importance.
The idiom itself, however, rose to prominence in the 20th century, and its use isn’t limited to military or warfare scenarios. Today, the phrase is often used metaphorically in arguments or discussions to represent a point or issue that someone feels so passionately about they are willing to go to extreme lengths to defend it.
In essence, “the hill you want to die on” is an idiomatic phrase suggesting the decision to fight for something with all one’s might, signifying the issue is of such importance to the individual that they are willing to endure significant loss or even ‘metaphorical death’ for it.
The idiom itself, however, rose to prominence in the 20th century, and its use isn’t limited to military or warfare scenarios. Today, the phrase is often used metaphorically in arguments or discussions to represent a point or issue that someone feels so passionately about they are willing to go to extreme lengths to defend it.
In essence, “the hill you want to die on” is an idiomatic phrase suggesting the decision to fight for something with all one’s might, signifying the issue is of such importance to the individual that they are willing to endure significant loss or even ‘metaphorical death’ for it.