at the risk of one's life; risking death
Used in expressions like 死に身で or 死に身になる to describe acting with disregard for one's own life. Often implies a desperate or self-sacrificial effort.
He jumped into the fire at the risk of his life.
Refers to a dead body, often in contrast to 生き身 (living body). This sense is less common and may appear in literary or traditional contexts.
See also: 生き身
I am prepared to fight risking death.
A living body moves, but a dead body does not.
Compound of 死に (continuative form of 死ぬ 'to die') + 身 ('body'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is formed from native Japanese elements.