How to Pronounce "matter of life and death"
expression
MAT-er-uhv-LYFE-and-DETTH
MAT-uh-ov-LYFE-and-DETTH
Definition
A situation or problem that is extremely important, often meaning someone could live or die depending on what happens.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈmætɝ/ /ˈəv/ /ˈɫaɪf/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈdɛθ
British English
mˈætɐ/ /ˈɒv/ /lˈaɪf/ /ˈænd/ /dˈɛθ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
MAT-er-uhv-LYFE-and-DETTH
UK
MAT-uh-ov-LYFE-and-DETTH
Listen in Context
This is a matter of life and death—call the ambulance now!
For her, passing the exam felt like a matter of life and death.
Don't worry, it's not a matter of life and death if we're late.
I told him fixing his phone ASAP wasn't a matter of life and death.