for dear life

phrase

: very tightly or quickly because of fear or danger

He was hanging/holding on to the rope for dear life.

They were running for dear life to get away from the vicious dogs.

Examples of for dear life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The chase reaches its climax with Scottie slipping and hanging on to the roof for dear life while his partner falls to his death. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Opposite me, another girl is likewise clinging on for dear life. — Katherine Pangonis, Air Mail, 3 Oct. 2026

With FoCo at their collective backs, this time the Rams start strong and hang on for dear life the rest of the way. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026

Welcome to a Friday Nightcaps — the one where NASCAR WAG Jordyn Mallory goes for a test ride and holds on for dear life in a Daytona tuneup. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for for dear life

• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife