life-or-death Hear it!

life-or-death Definition

life·-or-death (līf′ôr det̸h′)

adjective

  1. having death as a possible result a life-or-death struggle
  2. so extremely important as to be crucial a life-or-death decision

life or death Synonyms

life or death

modif.

decisive, crucial, necessary, critical; see important 1.

life-or-death Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • struggle: However when they reach the lab, what should have been a simple raid turns into a life-or-death struggle against the unknown.
  • situation: That's a life-or-death situation like a heart attack.
  • decision: The situation takes a tragic turn when Owen, faced with a life-or-death decision over a patient, turns to Richard for advice.
  • duel: He is locked in a life-or-death duel with someone who is an affront to everything he believes in.
  • dilemma: Faced with a life-or-death dilemma, the bourgeoisie will resort to measures of planning, centralisation and nationalization.
  • emergency: Hospital pay row threat to patients Patients in life-or-death emergencies are being shipped around hospitals across Greater Manchester in a radiographers ' dispute.