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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of life-and-death¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Idioms and Phrases

see matter of life and death .

Example Sentences

Israel and the U.S. have a life-and-death interest in maintaining their technological advantage.

From The Daily Beast

Important issues—in some cases, life-and-death issues—are at stake.

From The Daily Beast

Bashar also is in a life-and-death struggle to survive today.

From The Daily Beast

My colleagues and I made life-and-death decisions minute by minute for five to six hours a day, five to six days a week.

From The Daily Beast

But this is a life-and-death lifestyle, and a very diverse population.

From The Daily Beast

The man drove along the rough unmade roads as only an American farmer can drive in a life-and-death hurry.

From Project Gutenberg

It was as though a young eagle had brought a flying panther to bay, and forced him to a life-and-death struggle.

From Project Gutenberg

My brother, thou must pray for a soul; struggle, as with life-and-death energy, to get back thy soul!

From Project Gutenberg

The mask was now discarded, and it became evident that we were engaged in a life-and-death struggle.

From Project Gutenberg

The result would be two great camps, each preparing for a new and greater life-and-death struggle.

From Project Gutenberg