Lie at death's door Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To be extremely ill or close to dying. This is a figurative expression used to describe someone whose life is in great danger.
Usage & Nuances
This is a formal, old-fashioned idiom often used in written or dramatic contexts. It is not used for minor illnesses—it's reserved for situations where death genuinely seems close. Often appears in news, history, or when speaking about very serious illness or injury.
Example Sentences
After the accident, he lay at death's door for weeks.
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The old dog lies at death's door now.
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The patient was said to be lying at death's door but survived.
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Last winter, my grandfather lay at death's door, but the doctors saved him.
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For days, we feared she was lying at death's door, but then she recovered.
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The villagers whispered that the old woman lay at death's door every winter, but she always pulled through.
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