coffin dodger
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
An elderly person, a person near death, or adept at avoiding death.
Register: derogatory, humorous, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
That if parents don't look after their kids some long box makers are likely to be busy soon. That if after the discharge of buckshot these urchin's escape the "O.K" man will have to have another look out for the coffin-dodgers.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
An alcoholic drink, sometimes drunk as a cure for a hangover.
Register: humorous, slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “coffin dodger” mean?
An elderly person, a person near death, or adept at avoiding death.
Is “coffin dodger” formal or informal?
coffin dodger is generally derogatory, humorous, slang.