PhrasesHub

One foot in the grave

    Definitions

      • near death or very old
        Describing someone who is either very old or in poor health

      • irreversible situation
        Referring to a situation that is impossible to change or has reached a point of no return

    Examples of One foot in the grave

    • Grandpa has been struggling with his health lately, and the doctor has told him that he's in the late stages of a serious illness. Despite this, grandpa remains optimistic and determined to enjoy what time he has left, as he puts it, "One foot in the grave, but both feet firmly planted in life."

      Here, the idiom "one foot in the grave" is used to describe someone who is very old or very ill and is approaching the end of their life. The speaker is using the idiom to acknowledge the seriousness of grandpa's condition while also emphasizing his positive outlook and zest for life.

    • Jane's husband passed away suddenly last night, leaving her reeling with shock and grief. Her friends and family are rallying around her, trying to offer words of comfort and solace. One friend, in a fit of dark humor, remarked, "Well, at least now your husband has one foot in the grave and one on a cloud!"

      Here, the idiom is used in a somewhat macabre way to acknowledge the reality of death, while also trying to find a way to lighten the mood and offer comfort. By comparing the deceased husband to someone with one foot in the grave, the speaker is acknowledging the seriousness and finality of death, while also trying to offer the bereaved friend some perspective and hope.

    • Uncle Bob has been complaining of back pain for months, and the doctor has finally diagnosed him with a serious spinal condition. The news has come as a blow to Bob, who is used to being active and independent. As he sits in his doctor's office, waiting for his prescription, he mutters, "One foot in the grave, and they want me to stay in bed all day!"

      Here, the speaker is using the idiom to convey a sense of frustration and despair at being faced with a serious illness. By comparing himself to someone who is very ill or very old, he is acknowledging the seriousness of his situation, while also trying to find a way to express his emotions in a colorful and memorable way.

    • Ms. Johnson, the stern and authoritative principal of the high school, has just informed a group of students that they have failed their exams and will have to repeat the course. The students are groaning and moaning, grumbling about the injustice of it all. One particularly petulant student, in a fit of dramatic hyperbole, exclaims, "This is a disaster! Our futures are ruined! We'll all end up with one foot in the grave if we have to spend another year in this place!"

      Here, the speaker is using the idiom to convey a sense of extreme drama and hyperbole. By comparing the consequences of having to repeat the course to a dire, end-of-life situation, he is trying to express the extent of his frustration and the gravity of the situation in a memorable and colorful way.

    • Grandma has been in poor health lately, and we say she's got one foot in the grave.

      This idiom means that someone who is seriously ill may be near death, as if they are already standing with one foot inside a grave or tomb. It suggests that their chances of recovery are slim.

    • Despite the terminal diagnosis, my uncle is determined not to give up and has both feet firmly planted on the ground.

      This usage of the idiom illustrates that the speaker's uncle is refusing to accept that they are close to death and is fighting against their illness with all their might. The second "foot" in the expression signifies a firm, resolute stance.

    • The fighter pilot's bravery during the war earned him the nickname "One Foot." He was constantly cheating death, and as the saying goes, he had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

      This creative use of the idiom explores an alternative meaning of "close to death." It suggests that someone can be living a dangerous, high-risk lifestyle and be unconcerned about death, as if they are already anticipating it.

    • The old man's arthritis had gotten so bad that he could barely walk without a cane. We feared that he was putting his other foot in the grave by insisting on climbing the stairs to his apartment every day.

      This example expands the idiom's interpretation to include making choices that potentially put one's life in danger, even if indirectly, such as the elderly man's refusal to use an elevator instead of climbing stairs. It adds a new layer of meaning to the expression.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "one foot in the grave" is used to describe someone who is either very old or in poor health, and also to refer to a situation that is impossible to change or has reached a point of no return. It is often used to emphasize the seriousness or permanence of a particular situation, whether it is related to age, health, or other irreversible circumstances.

    Origin of "One foot in the grave"

    The origin of the idiom "one foot in the grave" can be traced back to the 17th century. The phrase likely originated from the literal act of burying someone with only one foot in the grave, symbolizing the person being close to death. Over time, the phrase evolved to be used figuratively to describe someone who is near death or in poor health. Additionally, it came to be used to describe situations that are irreversible or have reached a point of no return. The idiom has since become a common expression in the English language, used to convey the severity and permanence of certain circumstances.

    Examples:

    • After the car accident, she felt like she had one foot in the grave.
    • With the company's financial troubles, it seems like they have one foot in the grave.