catching one's death

Verb

catch one's death (third-person singular simple present catches one's death, present participle catching one's death, simple past and past participle caught one's death)

1. (idiomatic) 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.1824, Washington Irving, “The Adventure of Sam, the Black Fisherman”, in Tales of a Traveller