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

Pinheiro Braathen clung on for dear life as his skis slipped through a turn in his second run, almost sending him tumbling. —Sean Nevin, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026

Cincinnati needs to hold on for dear life to this dynamic duo since any other city, New York and Chicago included, would be happy to have them. —Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Feb. 2026

His job is to tuck in as flat as possible, hold on for dear life and pull the brakes at the end of the run. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2026

The Argentine defender has developed a habit of serving as the Dane’s guardian angel, but Frank clinging on for dear life is no sustainable strategy. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for for dear life

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