as I live and breathe

Idioms  

1. For sure, definitely, as in As I live and breathe, I've never seen a more beautiful view. This expression is generally used to emphasize the truth of a statement and has been so used since the mid-1600s, although sometimes it was put simply as as I live. However, the complete phrase was also used early on, as in Arthur Murphy's 1756 play The Apprentice (2:1): “As I live and breathe, we shall both be taken, for heaven's sake let us make our escape.”

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Example Sentences

"I won't swear," she said, "but I'll promise as true as I live and breathe, and draw the breath of life, and that's as good as a swear."

From Darkness and Daylight by Holmes, Mary Jane

No, I would not, as true as I live and breathe; not if you were King George, and kings and queens were flocking to see you.

From Summerfield or, Life on a Farm by Lee, Day Kellogg

I sha'n't forget that night, Mr Simple, as long as I live and breathe.

From Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Marryat, Frederick

Now, as I live and breathe, this is pleasant: Rose, his man played and sung for him, and he, it seems, did not know when he should give over.

From Dryden's Works Vol. 3 (of 18) Sir Martin Mar-All; The Tempest; An Evening's Love; Tyrannic Love by Dryden, John

Well, as I live and breathe and run the Yavapai Golf and Country Club!" he ejaculated, "there's my old friend, Mr. Peacock, with all his tail feathers pulled out!

From Fore! by Loan, Charles Emmett Van