for dear life

life

L0158000 (līf)n. pl. lives (līvz) 1. a. The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.b. The characteristic state or condition of a living organism.2. Living organisms considered as a group: plant life; marine life.3. A living being, especially a person: an earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives.4. The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence: the artistic life of a writer.5. a. The interval of time between birth and death: She led a good, long life.b. The interval of time between one's birth and the present: has had hay fever all his life.c. A particular segment of one's life: my adolescent life.d. The period from an occurrence until death: elected for life; paralyzed for life.e. Slang A sentence of imprisonment lasting till death.6. The time for which something exists or functions: the useful life of a car.7. A spiritual state regarded as a transcending of corporeal death.8. An account of a person's life; a biography.9. Human existence, relationships, or activity in general: real life; everyday life.10. a. A manner of living: led a hard life.b. A specific, characteristic manner of existence. Used of inanimate objects: "Great institutions seem to have a life of their own, independent of those who run them" (New Republic).c. The activities and interests of a particular area or realm: musical life in New York.11. a. A source of vitality; an animating force: She's the life of the show.b. Liveliness or vitality; animation: a face that is full of life.12. a. Something that actually exists regarded as a subject for an artist: painted from life.b. Actual environment or reality; nature.adj.1. Of or relating to animate existence; involved in or necessary for living: life processes.2. Continuing for a lifetime; lifelong: life partner; life imprisonment.3. Using a living model as a subject for an artist: a life sculpture.Idioms: as big as life1. Life-size.2. Actually present. bring to life1. To cause to regain consciousness.2. To put spirit into; animate.3. To make lifelike. come to life To become animated; grow excited. for dear life Desperately or urgently: I ran for dear life when I saw the tiger. for life Till the end of one's life. for the life of (one) Though trying hard: For the life of me I couldn't remember his name. not on your life Informal Absolutely not; not for any reason whatsoever. take (one's) life To commit suicide. take (one's) life in (one's) hands To take a dangerous risk. take (someone's) life To commit murder. the good life A wealthy, luxurious way of living. the life of Riley Informal An easy life. the life of the party Informal An animated, amusing person who is the center of attention at a social gathering. to save (one's) life No matter how hard one tries: He can't ski to save his life. true to life Conforming to reality.

[Middle English, from Old English līf; see leip- in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adv.

for dear life - as though your life was at stake; "he was running for dear life"

for dear life

As if one's life depends on it (because one is in a dangerous or grave situation, although the phrase can also be used humorously). The hiker grabbed a root as she fell off the cliff, and had to hold on for dear life while she waited for the rescue crew. When the dentist motioned us back into the examination room, my daughter clutched her chair and held on for dear life.See also: dear, life

for dear life

Also, for one's life. Desperately, urgently, so as to save one's life. For example, When the boat capsized, I hung on for dear life, or With the dogs chasing them they ran for their lives, or She wanted that vase but I saw it first and hung on to it for dear life. These expressions are sometimes hyperbolic (that is, one's life may not actually be in danger). The first dates from the mid-1800s, the variant from the first half of the 1600s. Also see for the life of one. See also: dear, life

for dear (or your) life

as if or in order to escape death. 1992 Independent I made for the life raft and hung on for dear life. See also: dear, life

for dear ˈlife

for your ˈlife

because you are in danger: Run for your life! A tiger has escaped from the circus! ♢ They were clinging for dear life to the edge of the rock.See also: dear, life

for dear life

Desperately or urgently: I ran for dear life when I saw the tiger.See also: dear, life