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

"And as I live and breathe them's Wing Commander Farrell's very orders!"

From A Yankee Flier with the R.A.F. by Montgomery, Rutherford George

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

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

"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

The child himself—as surely as I live and breathe, is living and breathing now—a castaway and a prisoner in that villainous house!”

From A House to Let by Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn