죽을 뻔했어요

almost died

→ 죽다

phrase Rare #23,428

almost died A polite expression meaning that someone came very close to dying. The pattern -(으)ㄹ 뻔했어요 means “almost” or “nearly” did something, usually referring to something that did not actually happen.

KO: 계단에서 넘어져서 죽을 뻔했어요.

EN: I fell down the stairs and almost died.

저도 빠져 죽을 뻔했어요

I almost drowned too.

— 네버엔딩 스토리 (1984)

당신이 나타나서 난장판 을 만드는 바람에 둘 다 죽을 뻔했어요

You showed up and made such a mess that we both nearly died.

— 맥시멈 리스크 (1996)