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
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.
Just like a rodeo rider, every character is holding on for dear life, especially Lainey herself. Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 26 Nov. 2024 Next morning, Irvine’s neighbor watched as houses floated by, and people clung to them for dear life. Robert B. Tucker, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 That makes a pit to hell open up in the living room, leaving Gabbie hanging on for dear life. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024 And yet, after all the breakdowns and back-breaking missteps, there was still a sliver of hope with USC wedged against the goal line, its Big Ten hopes hanging on for dear life. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for for dear life 

Dictionary Entries Near 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 12 Dec. 2024.

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