life-and-death
adjective
ending with the death or possible death of one of the participants; crucially important.
Jump To:
-
life-and-death
-
life and death
life and death
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:
This can add another layer of delay, which can have life-and-death consequences.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Not having money is a life-and-death issue in America.
From MarketWatch ● May 26, 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
Publicly, however, the parking meter had to stay so long as the mayor, the council, and the police force were locked in a life-and-death struggle with Onofre Martinez.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Like his nearby European companions and many other hybrid figures, he is a character of contrasts—power and fear, life and death, human and animal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
The new mum said the family had shared "wonderful moments" with pets, which would also teach children about life and death.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
“Remake” stars McElwee, his son and the camera — that one simple tool that connects Adrian and his father through space and time, life and death.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026
Stories about his life and death have replaced those about Mexico’s World Cup run on my social media timelines.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
“This is a matter of life and death, and you talk about controlling myself.”
From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White
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.
