Slang: One foot in the grave (Com um o pé na cova)

Definition: Close to death; a person who is or appears to be nearly dead.

Example:

1) Ma says Pa has one foot in the grave, so we probably should start planning his funeral.

2) Benron Corp. has had one foot in the grave ever since the accounting scandal came to light.

Etymology: This phrase dates back to the 1600s, and its meaning is fairly straightforward. Your 'grave' is where you are buried when you die, and if you have 'one foot' already in the grave, then you must be very close to the end of your life.