life-and-death

[ lahyf-uh n-deth ]
/ ˈlaɪf ənˈdɛθ /

adjective

ending with the death or possible death of one of the participants; crucially important: The cobra was engaged in a life-and-death struggle with the mongoose.

Origin of life-and-death

First recorded in 1680–90

Example sentences from the Web for life-and-death