the sick man of

the sick man of (something or somewhere)

Something or some place that is particularly unsound, untenable, or doomed to fail, especially among or in comparison to its peers. Due in large part to several tumultuous years of indecision in its parliament, Greece has been the sick man of Europe since the global recession began. The banking giant, which once propped up the entire country, has now become the sick man of the economy in recent years.
See also: man, of, sick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the sick man of —

a country that is politically or economically unsound, especially in comparison with its neighbours in the region specified.
In the late 19th century, following a reported comment by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia about the moribund state of the Turkish empire, the Sultan of Turkey was described as the Sick Man of Europe . The term was later extended to Turkey itself and subsequently applied to other countries.
1992 Independent He vilified the West as ‘the sick man of the modern world’ and attacked its institutions as ‘the dictatorship of the majority dressed up as democracy’.
See also: man, of, sick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the sick man of (something or somewhere)
  • play a losing game
  • be fighting a losing battle
  • fight a losing battle
  • it'll (all) end in tears
  • it'll end in tears
  • end in tears
  • be first among equals
  • doom (someone or something) to (something)
  • doom to
References in periodicals archive
"The Sick Man of Europe", a term first used by Russia to describe the Ottoman Empire, now surely refers to the UK.
UK has become a joke
''Fortunately, international recognition of the country's vibrant economic outlook through rankings such as these indicates that the sick man of Asia is nearing full recovery," he added.
PH tops 'Best Country to invest in' category
Fortunately, international recognition of the country's vibrant economic outlook through rankings such as these indicates that the sick man of Asia is nearing full recovery,' Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on economic affairs, said in a statement.
Gatchalian: PH soon no longer 'sick man of Asia'
The UK economy is the sick man of Europe in growth terms.
Increase will be very costly; ANALYSIS
Scotland in 2017 is still the sick man of Europe and we have to change that."
Pedal power calls for a cycling revolution
In the latter part of the 19th century which country was known as 'the sick man of Europe'?
QUIZ OF THE DAY
It's just one of many reasons why this country has become known as The Sick Man of Europe.
Trim that fat; RecordView
LONDON, Feb 8, 2010 (TUR) -- Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU Talks Egemen Bagis said on Monday that "Turkey was no longer the sick man of Europe".
(DIP) "TURKEY IS NO LONGER SICK MAN OF EUROPE," TURKEY'S EU NEGOTIATOR
Chief executive David Noble said: "Though August saw a reduction in the rate of deterioration, it is still the sick man of the UK economy.
Construction 'still sick man of economy'
Will be also deny Britain was labelled the sick man of Europe?
Letter: YOUR SHOUT - It's back to the troubled 70s
The fact of the matter is that the legacy of our past primary industries has left us the sick man of Britain, it was the English who benefited most from our hard toil and graft leaving them un-ravaged by such ailments as white finger, breathing problems and spinal problems.
Letter: Just relieved
Scotland has long been dubbed the sick man of Europe - but the Health Secretary's patch is one of the sickest in the land.
05/05/05: HIS PATCH IS HEALTH FREE ZONE
And finally--as in the last straw--our researchers suggest that all of us take a few sex-ed pointers from the Netherlands, "the sick man of Europe." Sure, the Netherlands may "boast" one of the globe's lowest teen pregnancy rates.
Where the boys aren't
He was telling the party conference at Blackpool: "The sad fact is this: A generation ago, Britain was the sick man of Europe.
Tory leader's public services crusade
And he was expected to say: "The sad fact is, a generation ago Britain was the sick man of Europe."
Smith's plans to heal the NHS