be on life support

1. Literally, to be connected to machines that are keeping one alive, as by maintaining one's breathing or heart function. Aunt Edna has been on life support for months. The doctors don't think she'll regain the ability to breathe without a ventilator. The patient signed a do-not-resuscitate order, so he refuses to be on life support. I know, I thought the patient with the bacterial infection was showing signs of progress, but I guess things took a turn for the worst last night. She's on life support now.

2. By extension, to be struggling to stay in existence. Our department's been on life support ever since our funding got slashed last year. Don't get your hopes up—when the CEO says he'll revisit an idea next quarter, that means it's officially on life support. That company was life support for years, so I'm not surprised to hear they filed for bankruptcy.