Aut bibat aut abeat
“Let him drink or leave.”
Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 5.118
What does “Aut bibat aut abeat” mean?
Aut bibat aut abeat translates as “Let him drink or leave.”
Join in or go – no half measures at the party.
“Aut bibat aut abeat” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Aut | either, or | conjunction; paired with the second aut it gives “either … or”, a strict choice between two options |
| bibat | let him drink | 3rd person singular present subjunctive (jussive, a command) of bibo, “I drink” |
| aut | or | conjunction; the second half of the “either … or” pair |
| abeat | let him leave | 3rd person singular present subjunctive (jussive) of abeo, “I go away” |
How to pronounce “Aut bibat aut abeat”
The two differ mainly in the i of bibat: a short i in Classical, a clearer ee in Ecclesiastical. In bibat the stress falls on the first syllable; in abeat it falls on the second syllable (a-BEH-aht, with the stress on the e).
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “either let him drink or let him go away”. It is a drinking rule: a guest at a symposium, a Greek drinking party, either joined in properly or left the table.
Cicero quotes it in the Tusculan Disputations (5.118) as a Greek rule of the drinking party and then turns it into a thought about life. In his words, the person who cannot bear the injustices of fortune should not stay and complain but leave.
Cicero uses it in a serious discussion of life and death. Today it is mostly read in the lighter sense of its original setting: take part fully or step aside.
How to use “Aut bibat aut abeat”
It suits a party invitation, a bar or kitchen sign, or a toast among friends. It also works as a joking motto for anyone who dislikes half-hearted commitment.
- Latin
- Aut bibat aut abeat
- English
- Let him drink or leave.
- Source
- Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 5.118
- Era
- Antiquity
- Theme
- Humor
Common mistakes
- The verbs are not future or indicative. Bibat and abeat are subjunctives used as commands, so “he drinks or he leaves” misses the sense of “let him”.
- Both verbs are 3rd person singular. To address a group, change them to bibant and abeant (“let them drink or leave”); to say it to one person directly, use the imperatives bibe and abi.
- Do not read it as Cicero’s own invention. He cites it as an existing Greek drinking rule.
- Aut means a strict “either … or”, so the choice is one or the other, not both. The word vel would be softer.
Questions about “Aut bibat aut abeat”
What does “Aut bibat aut abeat” mean literally?
“Either let him drink or let him go away.” The verbs are subjunctives expressing a command or rule.
Who said “Aut bibat aut abeat”?
Cicero quotes it in the Tusculan Disputations 5.118 as a Greek drinking rule. He did not coin it himself.
How do you pronounce “Aut bibat aut abeat”?
Classically: owt BIH-baht owt AH-beh-aht. The Ecclesiastical version differs mainly in bibat, which becomes BEE-baht.
Can I change “Aut bibat aut abeat” to say “drink or leave” to someone?
Yes. To one person say “Aut bibe aut abi”, to several “Aut bibite aut abite”. These forms are imperatives, so they are direct commands.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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