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

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.
Welcome to a Friday Nightcaps — the one where NASCAR WAG Jordyn Mallory goes for a test ride and holds on for dear life in a Daytona tuneup. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Some of them feel goopy, while others cling onto my pores for dear life. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026 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 Cynics don’t make that money without the true believers — the ones who hear these promises and hold on to them for dear life. — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for for dear life

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 1 Sep. 2026.

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