How to Pronounce "a matter of life and death"
expression
uh MAT-er uhv LYFE and DETH
uh MAT-uh ov LYFE and DETH
Definition
Something extremely serious or important, especially a situation where someone’s life may depend on the outcome.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈmætɝ/ /ˈəv/ /ˈɫaɪf/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈdɛθ
British English
æɪ/ /mˈætɐ/ /ˈɒv/ /lˈaɪf/ /ˈænd/ /dˈɛθ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
uh MAT-er uhv LYFE and DETH
UK
uh MAT-uh ov LYFE and DETH
Listen in Context
This is a matter of life and death—we need to hurry!
The doctor said it was a matter of life and death.
Finding water in the desert is a matter of life and death.
Don’t worry, it’s not a matter of life and death—you have time to decide.