life-and-death
(also life-or-death), adj [attrib 作定语]
serious; crucial; deciding between life and death 严重的; 关系重大的; 生死攸关的
desert animals locked in a life-and-death struggle with the elements 囿於沙漠中与自然环境作生死搏斗的动物
(fig 比喻) a life-or-death attempt to reach the grand final 为进入大决赛而作殊死拚搏的尝试.