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

Gonzalez said deputies could only respond with lethal force in a life-and-death situation.

From Los Angeles Times

For millions of Americans in the Southwest, the extreme heat from climate change is a literal life-and-death matter.

From Salon

While cable news was “waving the flag,” Donahue and Spiro offered a profound and tragic illustration of the life-and-death consequences of crude nationalism.

From Salon

The influence of special interest groups and corporate weapons-makers over these life-and-death issues should be considered both a moral outrage and perhaps the ultimate security risk.

From Salon

Quick life-and-death decisions sometimes must be made based on incomplete data, and current gen AI models are still too opaque.

From Seattle Times