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View synonyms for

life-and-death

[ lahyf-uhn-deth ]

adjective

  1. ending with the death or possible death of one of the participants; crucially important:

    The cobra was engaged in a life-and-death struggle with the mongoose.



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Word History and Origins

Origin of life-and-death1

First recorded in 1680–90
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Idioms and Phrases

see matter of life and death .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It said the diversity of opinion within the board "is not unlike the politics of Israel itself, whose rambunctious democratic culture sees a fierce exchange of views about these excruciating life-and-death issues".

From

It’s actually a reflection of a disturbing failure: Our government does not properly alert people about disasters, with life-and-death consequences.

From

There’s nothing like a life-and-death situation turning out “life” to moisten one’s eyes, especially if you or a loved one has spent any time in the medical system, or feared the possibility.

From

If we are gamifying life-and-death issues, it could really negatively influence culture and society in a way we don’t like.”

From

So you have an awareness how to sort of navigate potential life-and-death situations.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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lifelife annuity