命在旦夕 mìng zài dàn xī — one's life hangs by a thread

命在旦夕
mìng zài dàn xī

Characters: 命 · 在 · 旦 · 夕

Definitions

  1. one's life hangs by a thread

More definitions

CC-CEDICT

  1. to be at death's door (idiom)

ExtDict

  1. 旦夕：早晚之间，形容极短的时间。生命垂危，很快会死去。

Examples

  • 病人伤重，命在旦夕。

    The patient was gravely wounded, his life hanging by a thread.

  • 若不及时手术，伤者命在旦夕。

    Without prompt surgery, the injured man would not last.