for dear life
Desperately.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He held onto the rope for dear life.”
“The small boat rocked violently in the storm, so the passengers held onto the railings for dear life.”
“As the mountain path crumbled beneath his boots, he clutched the jagged rock face for dear life until the rescue team arrived.”
- 01
beg for one's life
To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.
- 02
bread of life
Anything which is regarded as a source or inspiration of spiritual nourishment.
- 03
bring back to life
To return someone to a state of consciousness or living after a state of unconsciousness, death or near-death.
- 04
cat and dog life
An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.
- 05
change of life
Menopause.
- 06
charmed life
A life in which one is always lucky and safe from danger.
- 07
claim someone's life
To lead to someone's death.
- 08
come to life
To become alive, to be given life; to be brought into existence.
Last updated August 10, 2026