one foot in the grave
1
the state of being close to death due to old age or a fatal sickness
The idiom "one foot in the grave" has uncertain origins, but it is commonly believed to have evolved from the imagery of a person who is so close to death that they have one foot already in the grave, indicating their imminent demise. The phrase has been used in this figurative sense for centuries to describe the elderly or those in poor health who are nearing the end of their lives.
- At 90 years old, my grandfather often jokes about having one foot in the grave, but he's still quite active.
- After the severe heart attack, she felt like she had one foot in the grave but managed to make a remarkable recovery.
- The patient's condition was so critical that the doctors believed he had one foot in the grave, but they worked tirelessly to save him.
- The retired professor may have one foot in the grave, but his intellectual curiosity remains as vibrant as ever.
- With his reckless lifestyle, some thought the rock star had one foot in the grave, but he surprised everyone by making a comeback.