IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishat death's door
Meaning: Very close to dying, or feeling extremely ill.
Example: “I had the flu last week and felt like I was at death's door.”
Origin: Death pictured as a house one is about to enter. The Bible speaks of drawing near "the gates of death" (Psalm 107); the exact phrase "at death's door" is found from the 16th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: À l'article de la mort Literally: At the article of death
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