brink of death

USAGE SUMMARY

"brink of death" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a situation where someone is in a dangerous or life-threatening state. For example, "His health was on the brink of death when the doctors found him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A peaceful, solitary man, on the brink of death.

The New Yorker

They think if people think he's on the brink of death, this will calm people down.

The New York Times

Easy-to-use defibrillators can bring heart-attack victims back from the brink of death.

The Economist

Again and again, he must fight for his life, coming back from the brink of death.

The Guardian - Books

Notaro says in the film that she has been back from the brink of death.

The Guardian

Rarely do drugs come along to rescue people from the brink of death.

The New York Times - Science

Still, at least you get to see Adam Sandler repeatedly reach the brink of death.

The Guardian - Film

We had to bring the company back, literally, from the brink of death.

The New York Times

He is now in his early 40's and on the brink of death.

The New York Times

Can he describe how it felt to be pulled back from the brink of death?

The Guardian - Film

Is that possible?" Hensley texted back to say that monkeys on the brink of death had shown improvement within hours.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brink of death" to describe situations where someone or something is in a critical state and close to failing or dying. Ensure the context clearly indicates the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "brink of death" metaphorically for minor setbacks. This phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for genuinely life-threatening or catastrophic scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of death" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object of a preposition (e.g., 'on the brink of death') or as a complement. Ludwig AI indicates that it describes a dangerous or life-threatening situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brink of death" is a commonly used expression that effectively conveys the imminence and severity of a life-threatening situation or a near-failure state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in describing dangerous scenarios. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register and serves to highlight the critical nature of events. When using "brink of death", remember to reserve it for situations that truly warrant its impactful connotation, and to be mindful of the emotional weight it carries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on death's door

This alternative emphasizes being very sick or close to dying.

at the point of expiring

This phrase highlights the final moment before death.

near the end of life

This alternative focuses on the proximity to the end of one's existence.

facing imminent demise

This suggests an unavoidable and immediate death.

on the verge of mortality

This emphasizes the state of being close to experiencing death.

with one foot in the grave

This idiom indicates that someone is old or very ill and likely to die soon.

in the shadow of death

This alternative highlights the ominous presence of death.

close to the afterlife

This phrase refers to being near the transition from life to death, possibly in a spiritual sense.

nearing one's final moments

This emphasizes the limited time remaining before death.

in extremis

This Latin phrase describes the state of being in a very critical condition, close to death.

FAQs

How can I use "brink of death" in a sentence?

You can use "brink of death" to describe a situation where someone or something is close to dying or complete failure. For example: "The company was on the "brink of bankruptcy" before the new CEO arrived".

What are some alternatives to "brink of death"?

Alternatives include "on death's door", "near the end of life", or "facing imminent demise", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "brink of death" a formal or informal expression?

"Brink of death" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often found in journalistic and literary writing. The formality depends more on the surrounding text than the phrase itself.

What does it mean to be "on the brink of death"?

To be "on the brink of death" means to be very close to dying. It implies that the situation is critical, and death is a real and immediate possibility.