虫むしの息いき

expression, noun

dying breath; at death's door

Idiomatic expression describing a very weak, barely audible breath, often used to indicate someone is near death or in a critical state.

• 事じ故この後あと、彼かれは虫むしの息いきで病びょう院いんに運はこばれた。

  After the accident, he was taken to the hospital barely breathing.

• 祖そ母ぼは虫むしの息いきだったが、家か族ぞくの顔かおを見みて少すこし微笑ほほえんだ。

  My grandmother was at death's door, but she smiled a little when she saw her family's faces.