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
Tennessee won 11 games in 2022 with a not-great defense that hung on for dear life in that memorable 52-49 Alabama win and eventually gave out in the 63-28 debacle at South Carolina.
—
Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 4 July 2024
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
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.
Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 4 July 2024
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
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 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share