circling the drain

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

circling the drain

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

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.