death house

• Gefängnis oder Gefängnisabteilung, in der zum Tode verurteilte Häftlinge auf ihre Hinrichtung warten; im übertragenen Sinn auch ein Ort oder eine Situation, die hoffnungslos oder bedrückend erscheint.

A prison or section of a prison where inmates are held while awaiting execution; also used figuratively to describe a place or situation that feels doomed or oppressive.

1. Prison execution facilityC1formal

   A section of a prison where executions are carried out, or where prisoners awaiting execution are held.

   Hinrichtungszelle

   • The condemned man was moved to the death house.
   • Reporters are not allowed inside the death house.
   • The state's death house has been inactive for years.

2. Dangerous or doomed placeC2informalamerican

   A place or situation that is extremely dangerous or likely to lead to death or failure.

   tödlicher Ort

   • That abandoned mine is a death house; no one should go in there.
   • The old factory was considered a death house due to toxic fumes.
   • Living in that war zone felt like being in a death house.