for the life of (one)
Despite one's best efforts; to any degree whatsoever. Often used in negative constructions. For the life of me, I can't remember where I left my keys! She couldn't understand for the life of her why people were so obsessed with celebrity gossip. I can't for the life of me get the lid off this jar. Do you want to have a try?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
for the life of me
at all; even one little bit. (Used with a negative.) For the life of me, I can't figure this out. I can't for the life of me climb up a mountain.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
for the life of me
however hard I try; even if my life depended on it. informal 1998 Robert Newman Manners I cannot for the life of me think what the name of the lead singer was.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
for the life of me
I cannot/could not do something even to save my own life. The expression dates at least from the early eighteenth century and is generally used hyperbolically, that is, one’s life is not actually at stake. An early version appeared in Oliver Goldsmith’s The Vicar of Wakefield (1766): “Nor could I for my life see how the creation of the world had anything to do with what I was talking about.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer