病やまい膏こう肓こうに入いる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

become seriously ill; catch an incurable illness

Classical expression meaning the illness has reached a critical, often incurable stage. Used in formal or literary contexts.

• 彼かれは病やまい膏こう肓こうに入いり、医い者しゃも手ての施ほどこしようがなかった。

  He became seriously ill, and even the doctors could do nothing for him.

expression, godan verb (-ru)

become a slave of a habit

Figurative extension: a bad habit or obsession has taken such deep root that it is like an incurable disease. Rare, literary usage.

• 彼かれはギャンブルが病やまい膏こう肓こうに入いってしまい、借しゃっ金きんが膨ふくらむばかりだ。

  He has become a slave to gambling, and his debts just keep growing.