Translation guide
Describes doing something with desperate, intense effort, often to survive or avoid a negative outcome. In Japanese, this is expressed through adverbs, set phrases, and mimetic words that convey urgency and desperation.
To do something as if one's life depends on it, with extreme effort and urgency.
The most common and versatile way to express 'for dear life'. Literally 'with all one's might' or 'desperately'. Used for physical and mental effort.
He clung to the cliff for dear life.
To grip or cling to something with all one's strength to avoid falling or being separated.
必死に is the standard, neutral way to say 'desperately'. 死に物狂いで is more intense and colloquial, often used in dramatic or life-threatening situations. Use 必死に in most contexts; reserve 死に物狂いで for when you want to emphasize frantic, almost irrational effort.
Do not translate 'for dear life' literally as 愛しい命のために or similar. It sounds unnatural. Use the adverbial phrases above instead.
I ran away for dear life.
Literally 'like a dying person gone mad'. Stronger and more vivid than 必死に, emphasizing frantic, desperate action.
I swam for dear life and made it to shore.
Means 'barely escaping with one's life' or 'by the skin of one's teeth'. Often used when someone just manages to survive or escape a dangerous situation.
I escaped for dear life.
Noun or na-adjective meaning 'desperation' or 'frantic effort'. Can be used in phrases like 必死になる (to become desperate).
He ran with a look of desperation, for dear life.
Verb meaning 'to cling to' or 'to hold on tightly'. Often used with 必死に for 'for dear life'.
The child clung to his mother for dear life.
Similar to しがみつく but often implies emotional desperation or pleading while clinging.
She clung to his arm for dear life.