What does “On Life Support” mean?
"On Life Support" means being in a critical condition and relying on medical equipment to stay alive.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The patient has been on life support for the past week.
Example
The accident left him on life support with severe injuries.
Example
The hospital is equipped to handle patients who are on life support
Is “On Life Support” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“On Life Support” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “On Life Support” effectively in context?
You can use "On Life Support" to describe someone who is in a critical condition and relies on medical equipment to stay alive. It emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the dependency on life-saving technology. For example, if someone asks about a patient's condition, you might say, 'He's been on life support for the past week.'
- 1Medical
After the accident, he was in such a critical condition that he had to be put on life support.
- 2Emergency
The hospital is well-equipped to handle patients who are on life support.
- 3Healthcare
The doctors decided to keep the patient on life support until they could stabilize his condition.
Similar phrases to “On Life Support”:
Requiring medical treatment or equipment to sustain life
Example
The patient is dependent on medical intervention to survive.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “On Life Support” come from?
The origin of the phrase "On Life Support" is unknown.
Is “On Life Support” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "On Life Support" is a common phrase in everyday conversation, especially in medical and healthcare contexts. It is used to describe the condition of patients who are critically ill and require life-sustaining measures.
What tone does “On Life Support” have?
"On Life Support" conveys a serious and somber tone. It is often used when discussing life-threatening situations and the need for medical intervention to keep someone alive.
Can “On Life Support” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "On Life Support" is more commonly used in formal settings, particularly in medical and healthcare discussions. It may not be as frequently used in casual conversations, but it is still widely understood.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The patient has been on life support for the past week.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He's still "on life support"' to provide an update on someone's condition.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- hanging by a thread
- in a critical state
- reliant on life support
- in a life-threatening condition
- in need of life-sustaining measures
