noun

lifeline

lifeline, lifesaving rope, vital support

He threw a lifeline to the drowning man.

He threw a lifeline to the drowning man.

This job is my financial lifeline.

This job is my financial lifeline.

((a lifeline)) ((for sb./sth.)) a form of help in a difficult situation The loan was a lifeline for the small business.

((to throw sb.)) ((a lifeline)) to offer help to someone His friends threw him a lifeline.

Synonyms: support, salvation, recourse

From 'life' + 'line'. A line that saves a life.

Picture a 'line' (rope) being thrown to someone to save their 'life'. This can be literal or figurative, like a financial 'lifeline'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.