General
grim reaper at foot of bed
What does grim reaper at foot of bed mean?
Slang shorthand (GRAFOB) that a patient appears imminently moribund, as though Death is standing at the foot of the bed. Variant GRAHOB = at head of bed.
"One look and I wrote GRAFOB in the notes."
Origin
UK/US medical gallows humour.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'grim reaper at foot of bed' mean?
It's slang, abbreviated GRAFOB, meaning a patient looks imminently about to die, as if Death is standing at the foot of the bed.
What does GRAHOB mean?
It's the variant 'grim reaper at head of bed,' carrying the same grim implication.
Is this phrase appropriate to write in notes?
No — it's gallows humour and shouldn't appear in formal records or be used near patients and families.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
