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at death's door
01
used to describe someone who is about to die
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "at death's door" and when to use it?
The idiom "at death's door" is a figurative expression originating from the idea that someone who is severely ill or injured is so close to death that they are metaphorically standing at the threshold or door of the afterlife. It is used to describe individuals who are in an extremely critical or life-threatening condition, often suggesting that their chances of recovery are minimal.
Examples
After the car accident, he was rushed to the hospital, and for a time, it seemed like he was at death's door.
The elderly patient had been battling a serious illness for months and was now at death's door.
