Certain death is imminent. Doom is nearby. Taken from Condoleeza Rice's account of a feared biological poisoning that took place during George W. Bush's presidency. While waiting for test results she was told by an assistant "if the mice are feetup" (meaning the mice lying on their backs dead) then they would soon be dead themselves. If the mice were feet down (meaning the mice were up and walking about), then they would live.
by songwritez November 2, 2011