life-and-death
adjective
ending with the death or possible death of one of the participants; crucially important.
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life-and-death
American
[lahyf-uhn-deth]
/ ˈlaɪf ənˈdɛθ /
adjective
life and death
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of life-and-death
First recorded in 1680–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Not having money is a life-and-death issue in America.
From MarketWatch ● May 26, 2026
Similar to law enforcement, fire departments are paramilitary organizations handling fast-moving, life-and-death emergencies where there’s often no time for debate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026
That is all Charles Flores is asking for, an “opportunity to be heard” on a life-and-death matter.
From Slate ● Feb. 13, 2026
Jess Asato, another Labour critic of the legislation, said "a bill like this with such profound life-and-death impacts... must not be forced through without the scrutiny it deserves".
From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2026
It was dangerous, but it was not a life-and-death matter.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Buckingham Palace is in a war of words with Earl Spencer, the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, over a controversial memoir about her life and death.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
He said the evidence to support centralisation was "unequivocal" and a "matter of life and death" for the most vulnerable, low-weight babies.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
One of Rosales’ favorite books is Rankine’s “Citizen: An American Lyric,” a meditation on Black life and death in the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
“People can have life and death reactions to medications,” said Dr. Alan Smith, a family physician who chairs the Utah medical board but said he wasn’t speaking for the group.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
"That piece of steel is the power of life and death."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
