for dear life

phrase

: 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

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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.
After being strapped into a harness by a brave rescue worker, the man is whisked from the tanker, holding onto the support lines for dear life as the drone carries him above the raging waters. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 8 July 2026 Chase Briscoe won for the first time in 2026, holding on for dear life over the final few laps because Christopher Bell was . — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Rhymes for for dear life

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Browse Nearby Words

Ford cup
for dear life
for decoration
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Cite this Entry

“For dear life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20dear%20life. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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