Example
“After the sudden infection, Rosa was at death's door for several days.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
kiss of death
CEFR B2something that seems helpful but instead causes eventual failure or ruin
keep the wolf from the door
CEFR B2to earn or manage just enough to avoid poverty, hunger, or serious hardship
show someone the door
CEFR B2to dismiss someone or make it clear that they must leave
alive and kicking
CEFR B1still healthy, active, or functioning despite age or difficulty
can of worms
CEFR B1a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched
domino effect
CEFR B1a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.