Language: en
Meaning: (set phrase)Acceptanceofreligiousbeliefimmediately before one dies, typically in a state ofanxietyorfearof theinsecurityof what will happen to one in and afterdeath.2011December 16,William Grimes, “Christopher Hitchens, Polemicist Who Slashed All, Freely, Dies at 62”, inNew York Times, retrieved28 May 2015:Mr. Hitchens discussed the possibility of adeathbed conversion, insisting that the odds were slim that he would admit the existence of God.; (idiomatic,usuallysarcastic,oftenpolitics)Anabrupt, last-minute change in one'sprofessedbeliefs,principles, orpoint of viewin order to escape a serious threat or to increase one's chances of success.1996November 17, “Whatever”, inNewsweek, retrieved28 May 2015:The dilemma was how to propose a big tax cut and still look credible. Dole knew that the Democrats would mock him for adeathbed conversion.2002July 16,Richard A. Oppel Jr.,David E. Sanger, “House Passes Bill to Combat Corporate and Securities Fraud”, inNew York Times, retrieved28 May 2015:"Adeathbed conversion" was how Representative John LaFalce of New York State described the House Republicans' change of heart.2010February 10, Andrew Grice, “Brown's insurance against defeat”, inIndependent, UK, retrieved28 May 2015:Gordon Brown'sdeathbed conversionto electoral reform may look like pure opportunism and widening the goalposts for his team just as the match kicks off.
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