circling the drain

A macabre slang term referring to a patient whose future prospects of life are dim

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

circling the drain

FTD–fixing to die, near extremis, pre-code Medtalk Referring to a Pt whose future prospects of life are dim

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

cir·cling the drain

(CTD) (sĕr'kling drān)

Jargonistic and grossly inhumane term for a patient who is in the final days or weeks before death.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012