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.
3. Very close to one's location, especially of an unwanted thing that is encroaching. We used to think of it as a skirmish on the frontier, but the war is now at our doorstep. This whole area used to be rural, but with rampant development, the suburbs are at our doorstep.
See also: doorstep
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
never darken (one's) doorstep again
To never return to one's home. Used when referring to an unwelcome visitor. Don't worry, I've made sure that he'll never darken our doorstep again.
See also: again, darken, doorstep, never
not darken the doorstep of (some place)
To not go or never return to some place. I heard the Justice Department is dropping the case, so it looks like he won't darken the doorstep of the courthouse anytime soon. I haven't darkened the doorstep of a church since I was 10 years old.
See also: darken, doorstep, not, of
on (one's) doorstep
1. Literally, outside one's door. I'm on your doorstep right now—where are you?
2. By extension, one's responsibility. That issue is on the police commissioner's doorstep now. I always hire reputable contractors for my company because I don't want complaints of shoddy construction on my doorstep.
3. Very close to one's location, especially of an unwanted thing that is encroaching. We used to think of it as a skirmish on the frontier, but the war is now on our doorstep. This whole area used to be rural, but with rampant development, the suburbs are on our doorstep.
See also: doorstep, on
on the doorstep
Very close to one's location or home. We used to think of it as a skirmish on the frontier, but the war is now on the doorstep. This is a wonderful place to live, with these gorgeous mountains right on the doorstep.
See also: doorstep, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
at someone's doorstep
and on someone's doorstepFig. 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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
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).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
never darken someone's door
ornever darken someone's doorstep
OLD-FASHIONEDIf someone tells you never to darken their door again or never to darken their doorstep again, they are ordering you never to visit them again. The law firm told them to destroy all dossiers and never darken their doorstep again.
See also: darken, door, never
not darken somewhere's door
ornot darken somewhere's doorstep
OLD-FASHIONEDIf someone never goes to a place, you can say that they do not darken its door or do not darken its doorstep. He had not darkened the door of a church for a long time. Plenty more cases never darken the doorstep of a courthouse. Note: The image here is of someone's dark shadow falling across the door.
See also: darken, door, not
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
never darken someone's door (or doorstep)
keep away from someone's home permanently. 1988 Salman Rushdie The Satanic Verses They couldn't lock her away in any old folks' home, sent her whole family packing when they dared to suggest it, never darken her doorstep, she told them, cut the whole lot off without a penny or a by your leave.
See also: darken, door, never
on your (or the) doorstep
very near; close at hand. 1998 New Scientist The solution to Underhill's problem was on his doorstep.
See also: doorstep, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
on the/your ˈdoorstep
very near your/somebody’s home: It’s easy to be concerned with problems across the other side of the world and not see the poverty and unhappiness on your own doorstep.See also: doorstep, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- at (one's) doorstep
- at doorstep
- at (one's) door
- at door
- at one's door
- at somebody's expense
- at someone's expense
- at (one's) expense
- at expense
- be remembered as/for something