catch one's death

Definitions

1. 1

   To contract a serious illness, especially a nasty cold or other respiratory ailment and…

   To contract a serious illness, especially a nasty cold or other respiratory ailment and especially as a result of exposure to wet or chilly weather.

   • "You'll get drenched to the skin—You'll catch your death!" said Peechy Prauw, affectionately.
   • "My eye as like! you don't think I'm such a fool as to catch my death of cold, and let the horses catch their death too."
   • "You shall trudge away, and do your errands in the rain, and if you catch your death and ruin your bonnet, it's no more than you deserve."

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