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
Gabbard held on to this talking point, clearly crafted by her handlers, for dear life.
—
The Editors, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
Under sustained pressure on Saturday, Everton clung on for dear life, aided by Pickford, and little else until David Brooks’ 77th-minute winner.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
As is typical in India, the bus was jam-packed with fragrant humanity, and I was squeezed into an aisle holding on for dear life as the bus lurched its way through town.
—New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024
For people who make video games, 2024 was a year of holding on for dear life.
—Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for for dear life 
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The Editors, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
Under sustained pressure on Saturday, Everton clung on for dear life, aided by Pickford, and little else until David Brooks’ 77th-minute winner.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
As is typical in India, the bus was jam-packed with fragrant humanity, and I was squeezed into an aisle holding on for dear life as the bus lurched its way through town.
—New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024
For people who make video games, 2024 was a year of holding on for dear life.
—Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 20 Dec. 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 8 Feb. 2025.
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