darken someone's doorstep
Visit, often unwanted
To darken someone's doorstep is to visit or appear at their home, almost always used in the negative: Don't darken my doorstep again.
The phrase implies unwelcome presence—someone whose shadow falling across the threshold is itself an intrusion.
It sounds old-fashioned and theatrical, often used for dramatic effect when banishing someone.
- uninvited guestAttendee lacking formal welcome
- guestWelcomed visitor
- trespasserUnlawful entrant on property
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- interloperOne who enters uninvited
visitor · encroachment · arrival · nuisance · call · bad penny · pest · appearance · disturbance · invader · approach · entry · unwelcome · cold shoulder · annoyance · knock · burden · presence
darken someone's doorsteproll out the red carpet
Welcome someone with great ceremony
darken someone's doorstepstay away
Remain at distance
keep one's distance · make oneself scarce · steer clear · take one's leave · depart
darken, darkness, darker, darkest, darkening, someone, doorstep, doored