English

Alternative forms

• life or death

Adjective

life-or-death ‎(not comparable)

1. Of critical importance to the survival of a living organism.

   Good camoflouge is life-or-death for many animals in the wild.

2. Having death as a possible or even likely outcome; perilous.

   Ascending Mount Everest can be life-or-death for an inexperienced climber.

3. (idiomatic) Of critical importance to the success of a particular endeavor.

   Obtaining financing was a life-or-death matter for the research.