# valley of the shadow of death

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/valley-of-the-shadow-of-death
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A very dangerous place.

## Examples

- He felt like he was in the valley of the shadow of death.
- The soldiers knew they were entering the valley of the shadow of death as they crossed the dangerous border.
- Trapped behind enemy lines with no supplies, the small group felt as though they were walking through the valley of the shadow of death.

## Origin

From Psalm 23 of the Book of Psalms. "Shadow of death" is a calque of Hebrew צלמות.

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