you'll catch your death of cold

you'll catch your death (of cold)

A warning issued (often hyperbolically) to one deemed vulnerable to becoming ill with the common cold. You'll catch your death of cold if you leave the house with wet hair—it's freezing outside! You'll catch your death in this weather if you don't put on a coat!
See also: catch, death

you'll catch your death of cold

You'll get sick if you do what you're about to do (often, go outside without being properly dressed). You can't go out without a coat at this time of year, you'll catch your death of cold!
See also: catch, cold, death, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • catch (one's) death (of cold)
  • catch death
  • catch one's death (of cold)
  • catch your death
  • take (one's) death (of cold)
  • catch one's death (of a cold), to
  • take cold
  • catch a cold
  • the common cold
  • cold one
References in periodicals archive
One friend reflected that she and my father had "lived great lives", another more simply that "the world is less of a place", while a third recounted that when she visited my mother in the last fragile weeks of her life, Rene drifted out of sleep, opened her eyes and muttered: "You should be wearing a jumper, you'll catch your death of cold."
Rene Chaplin 1920-2012; Obituaries
It just shows what your mum used to say about 'cover up or you'll catch your death of cold' is a load of rubbish!" The T-shirt and shorts helped to raise Parry's national profile long before he moved into management.
Footballs hardest man becomes Mr Millenium
It maybe summer, but this is Yorkshire -and you'll catch your death of cold wandering about in that flimsy nightie.
SOAPS: Saucy Jo's low blow; EMMERDALE
Rejoicing in titles such as "Kinky Boots" and "You'll Catch Your Death of Cold in That", the exhibition features a range of artwork.
Business centre is dressed to impress; IN ASSOCIATION WITH Rensburg Sheppards SMEs