At death’s door

Meaning

The idiom "at death's door" means someone who is very sick or close to dying. It can also refer to someone who is in a critical condition or extremely ill, but not necessarily terminally so.

Usage

• My grandfather was at death's door when he contracted pneumonia. He didn't think he would make it through the night, but with aggressive medical treatment, he pulled through.
• After her heart attack, the doctor said she was at death's door. But with rest and medication, she gradually improved over time.
• My aunt is at death's door right now. She's been in the hospital for weeks with a serious illness.
• The company was at death's door when they decided to restructure their operations. It was a difficult decision, but it ultimately saved them from bankruptcy.
• My wife was at death's door after giving birth. She needed immediate medical attention and was in intensive care for several days.

Roots and History

The idiom "at death's door" has been used since the 16th century to describe someone who is extremely sick or close to dying. The phrase comes from the idea of being at the threshold of death, where one is either about to die or just barely alive. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more broadly to refer to anyone who is in a critical condition, regardless of whether they are expected to recover fully.

Synonyms in English

• On the brink of death
• In critical condition
• Near death's door
• Extremely ill
• Very sick

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "à mort"
• German: "am Rande des Todes"
• Spanish: "en la puerta de la muerte"
• Italian: "al confine della morte"
• Portuguese: "na porta da morte"

Similar Idioms

• a stitch in time saves nine

• aid and abet

• a cat may look at a king