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
Playing a child’s game and managing life-and-death Middle East politics share very little in common.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 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
"When it comes to road safety, we're talking about life and death."
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 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
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
He cries when he recalls those first days after the attack, when I was somewhere between life and death.
From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
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.
