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doorstep

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at death's doorstep

Extremely ill or very close to death or total destruction. A case of untreated rabies left me suddenly at death's doorstep. There are many parts of the environment that are now on death's doorstep due to the effects of pollution.

See also: doorstep

at (one's) doorstep

1. Literally, outside one's door. I'm at your doorstep right now—where are you?

2. By extension, one's responsibility. That issue is at the police commissioner's doorstep now. I always hire reputable contractors for my company because I don't want complaints of shoddy construction at my doorstep.

See also: doorstep

at someone's doorstep

 and on someone's doorstep

Fig. in someone's care; as someone's responsibility. Why do you always have to lay your problems at my doorstep? I shall put this issue on someone else's doorstep. I don't want that problem on my doorstep.

See also: doorstep

on your doorstep

also at your doorstep

very near to you Most people do not want war on their doorstep and will do everything they can to prevent it. People who live with poverty at their doorstep think about today, and not what the future will be like.

See also: doorstep, on

on somebody's doorstep

very near to where someone lives The great thing is we've got all the local amenities right on our doorstep.

See also: doorstep, on

at one's door

Also, on one's doorstep. Very nearby, as in The bus stop was practically on our doorstep, or The Mexican currency crisis is literally at our door. [Early 1900s] Also see lay at someone's door.

See also: door

doorstep

see under at one's door (on one's doorstep).