expression, godan verb (-u)
narrowly escape death; have a close call with death
Used when someone survives a life-threatening situation by a small margin. Often implies luck or a twist of fate.
あの事故で命を拾ったのは奇跡だ。
It's a miracle that I survived that accident.
彼は大病から命を拾った。
He narrowly escaped death from a serious illness.