not long for this world

Related to not long for this world: part and parcel

not long for this world

On the verge of dying, failing, or permanently breaking. I'm sorry to say that Great-Grandma Jean is not long for this world. I think we should all make the trip to see her one last time. My car is not long for this world, so I'm going to have to start thinking about how I'm going to afford a new one.
See also: long, not, this, world
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

not long for this world

Fig. about to die. Our dog is nearly twelve years old and not long for this world. I'm so tired. I think I'm not long for this world.
See also: long, not, this, world
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

not long for this world

If someone is not long for this world, they are very old or ill and likely to die soon. She's 93 and in fairly poor health. I should imagine she's not long for this world. Hastings asked him to become his assistant earlier that year, perhaps knowing that he was not long for this world.
See also: long, not, this, world
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

not ˌlong for this ˈworld

(old-fashioned) likely to die soon: She looked extremely ill and I fear she’s not long for this world.
See also: long, not, this, world
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

not long for this world

Expected to survive only for a short time. This expression dates from the early nineteenth century. In a letter of 1822, Byron wrote, “If it is, I cannot be long for this world.”
See also: long, not, this, world
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • not long for
  • gritch
  • grouse at
  • grouse at (someone)
  • go out of style
  • go out of fashion
  • evening of life
  • go to (one's) glory
  • go to glory
  • have a long memory
References in periodicals archive
If we're all not long for this world, the question we must ask is why do we persevere?
The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4 Review - Killer Within
But more than even the puncturing, I came to be unnerved by the extraordinary means we sometimes used to keep some folks alive who were clearly not long for this world anymore.
Parting from the ICU so sweet; Stressful, educational time comes to an end
It doesn't take a Dickens scholar to know he's not long for this world.
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I'vefound several small tortoiseshells in January over the years,but worst of all was a comma,its raggedy wings in perfect condition,but not long for this world,as it shivered on a grassy bank.
Country: Early birds and sleeping beauties; Mild climate produces creature comforts
Jane Austen's characters were liable to speak of anyone over 50 years old as not long for this world - unless they were paying them an annuity, when they were expected to hang on forever.
The Pensioner: Hard to know where you are, if they keep upping the lifespan
The meddling burghers of Brussels have taken away your beloved pounds and ounces, the quid in your pocket is not long for this world, and a good old-fashioned pint is about to be replaced by the loathsome litre.
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A sick person of limited intelligence was NFB (Normal For Bolton) while someone not long for this world was classed as CTD (Circling The Drain).
Beware of initials . .
Good television,in a perverse sort of way.Indeed at times Big Ecklooked as thoughhewas undergoing a rectal examination in his dug-out.Worsethan that, every nervous tic seemed to say, "I'm not long for this world".
Football: TELLY WATCH: McLeish ... close up and personal
'' It's always incredibly moving when you hear about a person who knows they are not long for this world making their partner promise they'll try to find happiness again.
My pact for hubby is strife after death
Good television,in a perverse sort of way.Indeed at times Big Eck looked as though he was undergoing a rectal examination in his dug-out.Worse than that, every nervous tic seemed to say, "I'm not long for this world".
Football: TELLY WATCH: McLeish ... close up and personal
Manimal was not long for this world - or any, for that matter.
Whatever happened to; MANIMAL 1984
I don't think health and safety officers were referring to Chris Grayling though the idiot shadow frontbencher looked as if he knows he too is not long for this world.
Cam's rat trap is a sign of failure
"He said he was not long for this world and he wanted to do something for his son.
GREAT GRANDAD DOUG, 77 GIVES KIDNEY TO HIS SON; He is Britain's oldest donor