English Reference
Idiom idiom

beg for one's life


To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The mouse ran and begged for its life.

CONTEXTUAL

The villain cornered the spy, who began to beg for his life in a desperate attempt to escape.

COMPLEX

Faced with the inevitable consequences of his betrayal, the disgraced official fell to his knees and begged for his life before the king.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

Last updated August 10, 2026