for dear life
idiom
: 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
Cruise’s character was seen in the video clip grabbing a seat belt, holding on for dear life, as the plane flipped upside down.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2025
From the surprise attack by hundreds of ants to staying dry (while holding on for dear life) through Warm Springs Rapid class IV rapids, and perpetual hydration, the right gear makes all the difference.
—Anna Fiorentino, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2025
At this point in the fight, Hunt has leapt from his plane onto Gabriel's, hanging onto the wing for dear life.
—EW.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Unfortunately, the bird refused to budge, leaving the hapless ginger feline clinging for dear life to the upper rafters of the umbrella, stretched out and facing a painful descent.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for for dear life
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2025
From the surprise attack by hundreds of ants to staying dry (while holding on for dear life) through Warm Springs Rapid class IV rapids, and perpetual hydration, the right gear makes all the difference.
—Anna Fiorentino, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2025
At this point in the fight, Hunt has leapt from his plane onto Gabriel's, hanging onto the wing for dear life.
—EW.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Unfortunately, the bird refused to budge, leaving the hapless ginger feline clinging for dear life to the upper rafters of the umbrella, stretched out and facing a painful descent.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for for dear life
Cite this Entry
“For dear life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20dear%20life. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share