C2idiomhealthIELTS-friendly
at death's door
USUK
so ill that you are close to dying
Often used humorously to tease someone who makes a small illness sound serious.
In context
The doctors said he was at death's door, but he made a full recovery.
It's only a cold; stop acting as if you're at death's door!
More idioms about health
- a clean bill of healtha doctor's statement, after an examination, that someone is healthy
- a new lease of lifenew energy, or a chance to be active or useful again
- a ripe old agea very old age, reached in good health
- a second windnew energy that lets you continue after you felt too tired
- a shadow of your former selfmuch weaker, thinner or less impressive than before