on death's doorstep

Definitions

Almost dead.

Examples

“By the time she decided to seek⟳ help⟳ from a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) center near her village, she was on death's doorstep: dizzy and unable to walk⟳, much less work⟳.”

“But in my family, you follow⟳ through on your commitments and show⟳ up at school or work⟳ unless you are on death's doorstep. But maybe I was on death's doorstep, because Mom and I didn't even discuss⟳ the idea of my leaving the house.”

“Look⟳, we all know⟳ that some of the things that we do will put⟳ us on death's doorstep one day.”

CEFR level