matter of life and death

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Successfully reforming the WTO is a matter of life and death for the organisation, warns the facilitator of talks on revamping the global trade body.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

"It really is a matter of life and death," said Sam Smethers, chief executive of the charity Surviving Economic Abuse.

From BBC • May 3, 2025

Sometimes, AI really can be a matter of life and death.

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2024

Predator-prey interactions are a matter of life and death and as such they are one of the main drivers of evolution in animals.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2024

That suddenly hit me at the meat counter, and it seemed a matter of life and death to drive home at seventy miles an hour to get a letter off to you.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger