have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel

have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel

colloquial A banana peel is often emblematic of uncertainty or instability, as it is commonly depicted in cartoons and comedies as causing people to slip if stepped on.

1. To be very close to dying. A: "What is she doing marrying that rich old man? He has one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel!" B: "That sounds like an ideal partner to me, my dear—especially if you're looking to make money." I know I'm just your grandmother and that you kids think I basically have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana pee—but I really do have some good advice that you should listen to from time to time! Hey sonny, just because I move slower these days doesn't mean I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel!

2. To be in a troublesome, uncertain situation; to be at risk of sudden, often calamitous change. I've managed to keep the company afloat, but it's felt like I've had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel the whole time. Well, it feels like we have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel, because we can't resume our research until we find out if we've secured funding. Is anyone surprised layoffs are coming? The new CEO has basically had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel since starting here.

See also: and, banana, foot, grave, have, on, one, other, peel

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