for dear life

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Related to for dear life: true-to-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

References in classic literature ?

As I had told him originally to drive for dear life down town, I suppose he thought me insane.

View in context

Thus threatened, the unhappy scarecrow had nothing for it but to puff away for dear life.

View in context

Clinging on for dear life, the victim was hauled through the water and up the rocky shore - battered, exhausted but safe.

Heroes of the white waters

TOURISTS clung on for dear life as they braved a glass aerial walkway on the side of a mountain in China.

We're walking in the air

Love Island UTV Ireland, 9pm nightly It's the last week and the desperate couples are trying to hold on for dear life to win the [euro]50,000.

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

Although smartly directed by David Hyde Pierce, the slender sitcom hangs for dear life on the appeal of its engaging stars, Marylouise Burke and Holland Taylor.

Ripcord

Mighty Malolos fights for dear life today as it clashes with Metro Racal in the final elimination-round playdate of the Filsports Basketball Association Unity Cup at the Colegio de San Sebastian Gym in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Malolos cagers in vital match

I say 'about to' but it's been wobbling like a fence post in a tsunami for weeks and is still clinging on to his chops as if for dear life.

A visit from the Tooth Fairy is just magic

Then, in the boardroom, and clinging on for dear life, she told Lord Sugar she would now consider the PS6 mass market.

BIANCA

is still suffering after his marathon charity swim, Davina McCall's triathlon took her to hell and back, last I saw, Alex Jones was clinging on to a rock face for dear life - and all for Sport Relief.

David Walliams.

Add the local news, sport and entertainment section and it really does leave those national tabloids clinging on for dear life.

Love the new-look Mail; VIEWS

Here she is giving very good back in a and this number is holding on for dear life to each and every curve on everyone's favourite Geordie.

dressed to impress

She's probably clinging to that nice, comfy duvet in the double marital bed for dear life.

Not much comfort in a green life

Each turn required me to hold on for dear life in case I would go flying off the boat, luckily I didn't.

I was just holding on for dear life

In 2009, most Americans hung on to their pocketbooks for dear life and prayed desperately for an economic miracle.